Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered that the genetic shape of a person’s heart could be a key factor in predicting cardiovascular health risks. While heart size and volume have been studied for years, this new research shows that heart shape may also play a major role. Using data from the UK Biobank, the team analyzed 3D models of the heart ventricles from over 40,000 people. They identified 45 genetic regions linked to heart shape, including 14 previously unknown ones, and defined 11 shape categories to track how these variations might influence heart function.
This study shows how genetics influence both heart ventricles and suggests that analyzing heart shape can help predict cardiometabolic diseases alongside standard clinical tools. This research offers an exciting step forward in understanding how genetics affects heart health, opening the door to earlier and more accurate disease predictions. By combining genetics with current diagnostic methods, doctors may one day have better tools to personalize heart disease prevention and care.
Reference 2: https://www.healthday.com/health-news/cardiovascular-diseases/your-hearts-shape-could-affect-your-health
Heart shape and size altering factors is a very prevalent part of cardiovascular disease in dogs and cats, something I hear about very often at my place of work. Learning more about the advancements within genetic analysis on heart shape, size and hopefully the factors which change it could be a major step towards aiding in the treatment and prevention of some forms of heart disease in both humans and animals.
ReplyDelete