Blood fat genes linked to heart disease
Friday May 7th, 2010
Recent findings have uncovered a genetic link between levels of fat in the blood and heart disease - but a new analysis today questions their significance.
Dr Nadeem Sarwar of Cambridge University, UK, and colleagues explain that, despite over 50 years of research, the relevance of triglycerides to coronary heart disease risk remains uncertain.
High levels of triglycerides in the bloodstream have previously been linked to risk of heart disease and stroke, but their role may be partly accounted for by their link to cholesterol levels.
The new study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, found that people with a genetic tendency for high levels of triglycerides also had a greater risk of heart disease. It is published in the Lancet.
The team say that several variants of the lipoprotein lipase gene "have modest effects on cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, as well as modest associations with heart disease risk".
But they add: "Further studies should assess whether measurement of triglyceride levels can better identify individuals at increased risk of coronary heart disease than measurement of conventional risk factors alone."
Mike Knapton of the British Heart Foundation commented: "This important research adds to the findings of previous studies which were inconclusive about the link between triglycerides and heart disease. It could yet prove to be an important step towards tackling cardiovascular disease but we mustn't get ahead of ourselves.
"There still needs to be larger trials before we can know whether lowering triglyceride levels can reduce heart disease risks. For now, people should continue to follow advice on diet, exercise, stopping smoking and medication which are still the best ways to tackle your heart disease risk."
Sarwar, N. et al. Triglyceride-mediated pathways and coronary disease: collaborative analysis of 101 studies. The Lancet, Vol. 375, May 8, 2010, pp. 1634-39.
Sagoo, G. S. et al. Seven Lipoprotein Lipase Gene Polymorphisms, Lipid Fractions, and Coronary Disease: A HuGE Association Review and Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Epidemiology, published online October 15, 2008.
Tags: Genetics | Heart Health | UK News
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