Gene Mutation Linked to HTN risk

The first common gene variant that is associated with an increased risk of hypertension has been discovered.

Researchers from Mass General focused on two genes, called NPPA and NPPB, which have been linked to hypertension in animal studies. These genes are responsible for the production of atrial and B-type natriuretic peptide (ANP and BNP).

A variant, called rs5068, was found on the NPPA gene and was present in almost 90 per cent of the population.
This variant was associated with a 20 per cent reduction of ANP levels and an 18 per cent increased risk of developing hypertension.

This finding may be used as a stepping stone in finding people at greater risk for HTN and new therapies can possibly be developed that may restore normal ANP levels and reduce risk of HTN. More work is needed but this discovery is interesting and is worthy of notice.