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Genetic contributions to left ventricular hypertrophy
1Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. arnett@epi.umn.edu
Insights
Left ventricular hypertrophy, a heart condition affecting cardiovascular health, is influenced by multiple genes interacting with environmental factors. Understanding its genetic basis is key to managing this common disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy significantly increases cardiovascular disease risk, including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.
- Noninvasive imaging has improved the evaluation of cardiac structure and function, advancing the understanding of LV hypertrophy's natural history.
- While hypertension is a known factor, it doesn't fully explain variations in LV mass, and LV hypertrophy can occur independently of or precede hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of LV hypertrophy and dysfunction.
- To present evidence supporting the genetic basis of LV hypertrophy.
- To identify potential candidate genes involved in LV hypertrophy development.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on LV hypertrophy.
- Analysis of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying LV hypertrophy.
- Examination of genetic studies implicating specific genes in LV hypertrophy.
Main Results:
- LV hypertrophy is a complex condition with multifactorial etiology, involving gene-gene and gene-environment interactions.
- Candidate genes related to LV structure, cell signaling, hormones, growth factors, calcium homeostasis, and blood pressure are implicated.
- Genetic factors play a significant role in the development of LV hypertrophy, beyond the influence of blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- LV hypertrophy is a genetically influenced condition with significant clinical implications.
- Further research into the genetic underpinnings of LV hypertrophy is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
- Understanding the interplay between genetics and environment is essential for managing LV hypertrophy and reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Abstract:
Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is a common condition that profoundly affects morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and stroke. Noninvasive imaging methods have greatly expanded our ability to evaluate cardiac structural and functional characteristics, and enhanced our understanding of the natural history of LV hypertrophy. The etiology of LV hypertrophy is likely due to the effects of multiple genes interacting with other genes and the environment. Although hypertension is recognized as a strong determinant of LV hypertrophy, blood pressure explains only a limited amount of the interindividual variation in LV mass. Moreover, LV hypertrophy occurs in the absence of hypertension, and in some cases precedes its development. Genes encoding proteins involved in the structure of the LV, as well as genes encoding cell signal transduction, hormones, growth factors, calcium homeostasis, and blood pressure, are likely candidates for the development of common forms of LV hypertrophy. An overview of the epidemiology and pathophysiology of LV hypertrophy and dysfunction is provided, in addition to evidence of the genetic basis for LV hypertrophy.