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Related Concept Videos

Polygenic Traits01:18

Polygenic Traits

When more than one gene is responsible for a given phenotype, the trait is considered polygenic. Human height is a polygenic trait. Studies have uncovered hundreds of loci that influence height, and there are believed to be many more. Due to the high number of genes involved, as well as environmental and nutritional factors, height varies significantly within a given population. The distribution of height forms a bell-shaped curve, with relatively few individuals in the population at the...
Polygenic Traits01:18

Polygenic Traits

When more than one gene is responsible for a given phenotype, the trait is considered polygenic. Human height is a polygenic trait. Studies have uncovered hundreds of loci that influence height, and there are believed to be many more. Due to the high number of genes involved, as well as environmental and nutritional factors, height varies significantly within a given population. The distribution of height forms a bell-shaped curve, with relatively few individuals in the population at the...
Factors affecting Blood pressure01:28

Factors affecting Blood pressure

Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure01:17

Hormonal Regulation of Blood Pressure

Endocrinal or hormonal intervention in the cardiovascular system is predominantly exerted by the catecholamines - epinephrine and norepinephrine, as well as a slew of hormones that interact with renal function to modulate blood volume.
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, catecholamines that enhance and extend the sympathetic or "fight or flight" physiological response. These hormones escalate heart rate and the force of contraction while...
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
03:05

Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Published on: November 21, 2025

Genetic and environmental causes of covariation among blood pressure, body mass and serum lipids during young

J M McCaffery1, M F Pogue-Geile, T T Debski

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA.

Journal of Hypertension
|February 5, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Common genetic and environmental factors influence cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol in young adults. These shared influences explain a small part of the variation, with risk factor-specific genes and environments playing a larger role.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
03:05

Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Published on: November 21, 2025

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral genetics
  • Cardiovascular epidemiology
  • Twin studies

Background:

  • Cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, body mass, and lipid levels often track from young adulthood into later life.
  • Understanding the underlying genetic and environmental influences on these risk factors is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the extent to which common genetic and environmental factors explain the correlations among key cardiovascular risk factors in young adults.
  • To differentiate the contributions of shared genetic, shared environmental, and non-shared environmental influences on the covariation of these risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a community-based sample of 129 monozygotic (identical) and 67 dizygotic (fraternal) twin pairs, aged 18-30 years.
  • Employed multivariate twin structural equation modeling to analyze the correlations between systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, fasting total cholesterol, and fasting triglycerides.

Main Results:

  • A single common genetic factor was found to partially explain the covariation among the measured cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Common non-shared environmental factors also contributed, specifically to the covariation of systolic blood pressure, body mass index, and triglycerides.

Conclusions:

  • Both genetic and, to a lesser degree, non-shared environmental factors contribute to the correlated variation of cardiovascular risk factors in young adult twins.
  • However, these shared influences account for a relatively small proportion of the total variance for each individual risk factor, highlighting the importance of risk factor-specific genetic and environmental determinants.