Coronary heart disease is claimed to be the leading killer in the UK. It is the high cholesterol levels producing fatty deposits inside arteries that seem to cause this disease. Experts from the University of Edinberg have found probable association between new genes and high cholesterol. It is ascertained that a blood test can anticipate an individual’s risk of developing heart disease.
High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol appear to cause damage by clogging the arteries. The newly identified genetic test is claimed to analyze the level of high cholesterol. The results of the study also shed light on possible cholesterol-lowering drugs that can aid people at risk of heart disease.
Dr Jim Wilson, Royal Society University Research Fellow at the University, elucidated, “Apart from highlighting a number of new potential drug targets, this landmark study is the first to show that we can predict from our genes who is likely to have very high cholesterol levels. As genes are present from birth, this would allow those at high risk to modify their lifestyle before the effects of high cholesterol damage their heart.”
DNA of 100,000 volunteers was thoroughly scrutinized by the investigators. After analyzing the DNA, experts were able to find genes included in regulating cholesterol. 95 genes apparently revealed an effect, among which 59 were previously not known to be comprised in cholesterol biology. It is anticipated that individuals with very high cholesterol are 14 times more likely to have these various variants in their genes.