Genes and heart disease
Centre for Cardiovascular Genetics
Scientists at University College are trying to identify the genes that increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Research has shown that most people with a genetic risk of heart disease have inherited several genes, each of which slightly increases their risk. Some of these genes only have an effect when other environmental factors are present.
So lifestyle and environment are important in deciding whether or not a person will actually be affected by heart disease - whatever their genetic make-up. Diet and smoking , for example, can have a big effect.
Submitted by: Andrew Hunt, 01 February 2006
