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Researchers in the UK have uncovered new insights into how a person’s genetic makeup may influence the shape of their heart, furthering our understanding of cardiovascular health. While the size and volume of the heart have long been linked to heart disease risk, this breakthrough focuses on how the actual shape of the heart could offer additional clues about an individual’s likelihood of developing cardiovascular issues. The discovery paves the way for more accurate predictions of heart disease risk in the future.
Professor Patricia Munroe, from Queen Mary University of London and the study’s senior author, pointed out that while heart size and volume are important, the shape of the heart has not been as thoroughly studied. By delving into the genetic factors behind heart shape, researchers hope to identify new risks that could aid in early detection and more personalized medical treatments for heart disease.
The research, published in Nature, analyzed data from the UK Biobank, which includes comprehensive genetic and health information from participants. The study examined 3D heart models from nearly 40,000 individuals, uncovering 45 genetic regions associated with heart shape. Notably, 14 of these regions had never been linked to heart development or function before, highlighting the significance of these findings.
The study also identified 11 key “shape dimensions” that reflect the main variations in heart structure. These discoveries lay a crucial foundation for understanding the genetic factors that influence the heart and could help in predicting future risks for heart diseases. This approach promises to improve the accuracy of assessing a person’s lifetime risk for cardiovascular conditions.
According to lead author Richard Burns, a statistical geneticist at Queen Mary University, the findings confirm that genetic factors play a role in shaping the heart. Analyzing heart shape, alongside other clinical measures, could become a powerful tool for predicting risks of cardiometabolic diseases and enhancing our overall understanding of heart health.
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