Inherited blood pressure

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Both heritable and lifestyle risk factors contribute to elevated blood pressure levels.

It is likely that people with a family history of high blood pressure share common environments and other potential factors that increase their risk. Data from family and twin studies suggest that blood pressure is moderately heritable (30–50%) (Br Med J. 1963;1:75–80).

The risk for high blood pressure can increase even more when heredity combines with unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking and eating an unhealthy diet.

Genetic risk is complex, probably resulting from a combination of harmful mutations in risk genes and silencing of protective genes. Genetic hypertension in humans is due to the inheritance of multiple genes that predispose the individual (or organism) to develop the disorder, usually after puberty.

With aging comes a universal increase in systolic blood pressure (the top number) and in the risk for heart disease. Keeping physically fit may lower your odds of developing high blood pressure by a third.

A new study shows that physically fit people with a family history of high blood pressure were up to 34% less likely to develop high blood pressure than people who rarely exercised.
Inherited blood pressure

Hereditary hypertension

Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. It is one of the principal independent risk factors for stroke, myocardial infarction and end-stage renal disease. Both heritable and lifestyle risk factors contribute to elevated BP levels.

Hypertension is a complex multifactorial disorder with genetic, environmental and demographic factors contributing to its prevalence.

The heritability of hypertension is often cited in the range of ≈30% to 60%, with multiple contributory genes; additionally, ethnic and genetic heterogeneity participate in variable clinical presentation and drug response in hypertension.

Genetic epidemiological studies have suggested that several genetic variants increase the risk for hypertension. It is likely that a number of genes rather than a single gene account for the heritability of this complex disorder.

Intermediate traits in physical, physiological/hemodynamic, autonomic/sympathetic, metabolic, inflammatory, oxidative, endothelial, and renal pathways displayed significant heritability, typically exceeding that reported for blood pressure itself.

A family history of hypertension is a risk factor for the person developing hypertension. Having one or more close family members with hypertension before the age of 60 means the person have two times the risk of having it also.

A family history of hypertension has been linked to other risk factors for heart disease and stroke. These factors include high cholesterol, high body fat, and being more sensitive to the effects of salt on raising blood pressure.
Hereditary hypertension