Epigenetics and precision medicine in cardiovascular patients: from basic concepts to the clinical arena

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Genetics
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of global mortality and morbidity.
• Current CVD preventive medications offer limited efficacy, with relative risk reductions of 12-20% compared to placebo.
• Precision medicine aims to tailor treatments to individuals, improving resource allocation and effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the cardiovascular community to the field of epigenetics.
• To highlight the implications of epigenetics in cardiovascular precision medicine.
• To explore how epigenetic modifications can advance individualized risk assessment and tailored therapies for CVD.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on genetics and epigenetics in cardiovascular disease.
• Discussion of epigenetic modifications as a layer of biological regulation.
• Exploration of the potential of epigenetics in precision medicine for CVD.

Main Results:

• Genetics alone only partially determines an individual's CVD risk profile.
• Epigenetic modifications, defined as heritable changes not involving DNA sequence alterations, represent a crucial regulatory layer.
• Epigenetics offers novel pathways and targets for understanding and treating CVD.

Conclusions:

• Epigenetic modifications are emerging as a significant factor in cardiovascular disease.
• Understanding epigenetics can lead to more accurate individualized risk assessment for CVD.
• Epigenetics holds promise for developing tailored therapies and advancing cardiovascular precision medicine.