Newly found genetic influences in blood pressure could lead to targeted therapies

Researchers partly funded by NHLBI have identified 107 new genetic regions associated with high blood pressure, which could enable doctors to identify at-risk patients and better target treatment. As part of the study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, the researchers developed a genetic ‘risk score’ that, they say, if measured in early life might open the door to a personalized medicine approach to prevention of cardiovascular disease.