Genetic contributors toward increased risk for ischemic heart disease

Area of Science:

• Genetics and cardiovascular medicine.

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a primary cause of mortality globally and in the US, incurring substantial economic costs.
• Coronary artery disease (CAD), a common form of CVD, affects millions annually, with a significant percentage experiencing myocardial infarction (MI).
• Early identification of individuals at risk for CAD is essential for implementing preventive strategies and improving treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review representative studies on genes associated with increased risk for CAD and myocardial infarction (MI).
• To highlight the potential of genetic identification for early screening, prevention, and gene therapy in cardiovascular disease.
• To discuss genes involved in inherited disorders and candidate genes contributing to the multifactorial inheritance of CAD risk.

Main Methods:

• Focuses on a review of existing literature and representative studies.
• Examines genes linked to inherited disorders associated with increased CAD and MI risk.
• Investigates candidate genes potentially involved in the multifactorial inheritance of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.

Main Results:

• The review identifies genes that predispose to or directly cause CAD.
• Studies discussed highlight the link between specific genes and an increased risk of CAD and MI.
• Candidate genes playing a role in the multifactorial inheritance of CHD risk are examined.

Conclusions:

• Identifying genes predisposing to CAD and MI is vital for advancing cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.
• Genetic screening could enable early identification of at-risk individuals, facilitating timely interventions.
• Gene therapy holds promise for treating ischemic heart disease (IHD) and other cardiovascular conditions.