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Association between coronary heart disease and the C3F-gene in essential hypertension
Insights
The C3F allele is linked to accelerated atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD) in treated hypertensive patients. This genetic factor may increase the risk of premature vascular complications in individuals with high blood pressure.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Essential hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Atherosclerosis is a significant contributor to coronary heart disease (CHD).
- Genetic factors may influence the development of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the C3F allele and essential hypertension.
- To determine if the C3F allele is linked to coronary heart disease (CHD) in hypertensive patients.
- To explore the role of the C3F allele in the atherosclerotic process.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study comparing allele frequencies in hypertensive patients (treated and untreated) and normotensive controls.
- Genotyping for the C3F allele.
- Assessment of coronary heart disease (CHD) prevalence and risk factors.
Main Results:
- The C3F allele occurred more frequently in untreated (38.2%) and treated (29%) hypertensive patients compared to normotensive controls (20%).
- Among treated hypertensive patients, C3F allele carriers had a significantly higher prevalence of CHD (40% vs. 6.1%) and a 10.2-fold increased risk.
- The C3F allele was present in 72.7% of treated patients with CHD.
- No association was found between the C3F allele and familial hypertension predisposition.
Conclusions:
- The C3F allele is positively associated with atherosclerosis.
- In hypertensive patients, the C3F allele may accelerate atherosclerosis, leading to premature vascular complications.
- The C3F allele is a potential risk factor for coronary heart disease in treated hypertensive individuals.
Abstract:
The occurrence of the C3F allele was investigated in the following three groups: 69 consecutive referred patients with untreated essential hypertension, including borderline hypertension; 70 patients with established and treated essential hypertension, already attending the same outpatient clinic, and 62 age- and sex-matched normotensive healthy subjects without clinical signs of atherosclerosis or familial predisposition to hypertension. In the three groups the C3F allele was found in 38.2%, 29% and 20%, respectively. Among the treated hypertensive patients with C3F gene, 40% had coronary heart disease (CHD) compared to 6.1% among the C3F negative (P less than 0.005), and the relative risk of CHD among the treated hypertensive patients with this allele was found to be 10.2 (P less than 0.002). The C3F gene was present in 72.7% of the treated patients with CHD. In the untreated patients the occurrence of CHD was low, and no differences between C3F positive and negative patients could be demonstrated. No association of the C3F allele with familial predisposition to hypertension was found. This study provides further evidence of a positive association of the C3F allele with atherosclerosis, and it is concluded that this allele in a hypertensive patient might accelerate the atherosclerotic process, with subsequent premature development of vascular complications.