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Genetic determinants of hypertension: An update

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Abstract

Hypertension represents a global public health burden. In addition to the rarer Mendelian forms of hypertension, classic genetic studies have documented a significant heritable component to the most common form, essential hypertension (EH). Extensive efforts are under way to elucidate the genetic basis of this disease. Recently, a new form of Mendelian hypertension has been identified, pharmacogenetic association studies in hypertensive patients have identified novel gene-by-drug interactions, and the first genome-wide association studies of EH have been published. New findings in consomic and congenic rat models also offer new clues to the genetic architecture of this complex phenotype. In this review, the authors summarize and evaluate the most recent findings related to hypertension gene identification.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Section of Genomic Pediatrics, TBRC/CRI, 2nd Floor, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA

    Ulrich Broeckel

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  1. Michael Harrison
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  2. Karen Maresso
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  3. Ulrich Broeckel
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Correspondence to Ulrich Broeckel.

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Harrison, M., Maresso, K. & Broeckel, U. Genetic determinants of hypertension: An update. Current Science Inc 10, 488–495 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-008-0091-1

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