Importance of Genetic Screening for High blood pressure

▴ Hypertension
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a heart health condition that one-third of Indians carry, and for most people with no signs or symptoms. That is why often clinicians call it a “silent killer”. It is a major risk factor for several severe health conditions such as coronary artery diseases (CAD), stroke, kidney disease etc.

The American Heart Association recommended Systolic (upper number in a blood pressure reading) and Diastolic (lower number in a blood pressure reading) blood pressure reading to be below 140 mm Hg and 80 mmHg respectively. Repeated readings above these thresholds are considered as hypertension. Reading lower than 90 mmHg or 60 mmHg is considered as low blood pressure or hypotension, which is also severe but less common compared to hypertension. Till date there is no cure for hypertension, but only medication can lower blood pressure. However, as part of pre-emptive healthcare, genetic screening tests such as MedGenome’s Hypersense can help an individual in detecting the risk of such a condition as early as 18 years of age.

Recently, Harvard Medical School (Broad Institute), USA has developed a CAD genetic risk prediction model integrating the genetic risk from comorbidities including genetic risk for Hypertension, for various global populations. MedGenome CAD screening test is now adapted to this model after validating it in the Indian population. With the increased focus on personalised medicine, using risk screening tools such as Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) will enable clinicians to predict an individual’s genetic liability to rare and inherited diseases much in advance before the symptoms start appearing. The results can be evaluated by clinicians and geneticists to guide patients in early intervention, disease risk mitigation, and better treatment strategies."

- Dr Ramesh Menon, Associate Director, MedGenome

Tags : #

About the Author


Team Medicircle

Related Stories

Loading Please wait...

-Advertisements-




Trending Now

Sanjeevani Healthcare & Wellness Expo 2024: A Dynamic Platform for Global Healthcare CollaborationDecember 23, 2024
Ranitidine: Saviour or Suspect? The Truth Behind the Stomach Acid RemedyDecember 23, 2024
From One-Size-Fits-All to Precision Medicine: The New Hope for Rare Bone Cancer PatientsDecember 23, 2024
World Meditation Day: India’s Gift of Peace to a Chaotic WorldDecember 23, 2024
Breaking New Ground in Migraine Care: A Landmark Session on Diagnosis and TreatmentDecember 23, 2024
Black Angels remind us of centuries of injustices plaguing the TB responseDecember 20, 2024
Healthcare Startups to Watch Out for in 2025December 20, 2024
Biobank Blueprint: Redefining Diabetes Diagnosis and Treatment in IndiaDecember 20, 2024
The Future of Malaria Prevention: Can This Vaccine Eliminate the Disease?December 20, 2024
Why the World Trusts Indian Pharmaceuticals for Life-Saving SolutionsDecember 20, 2024
International Tsunami Conference Concludes at AmritapuriDecember 20, 2024
Prestige Marks 75 Years of Revolutionizing Home Cooking with Iconic Innovative ProductsDecember 20, 2024
Revolutionizing Education: Online Learning Platforms Transforming Study Materials for Board and Competitive ExamsDecember 19, 2024
Why Your Blood Pressure Reading Might Be a Lie and How to Fix ItDecember 19, 2024
Vaccines, Cards, and Digital Records: How India is Fighting Healthcare InequalityDecember 19, 2024
Bridging Borders: Sri Lanka’s President Explores India’s Healthcare and HeritageDecember 19, 2024
Jeevan Jyoti Project Brings Eye Care to Alwar's Rural CommunitiesDecember 19, 2024
Crompton Launches New Range of Decorative Wall Lights Providing a Perfect Blend of Uniqueness & AestheticsDecember 19, 2024
Can One Injection End Decades of HIV Inequality?December 19, 2024
Multi-Organ Marvel: How a 12-Hour Surgery Gave a Businessman New LifeDecember 19, 2024