Why Do Black People Have Higher Blood Pressure and Worse Outcomes?

    Black Americans have been known to have increased incidences of high blood pressure and more severe outcomes than their white counterparts. In this American Heart Association article, the authors discuss both possible social and genetic causes for this reality. Genetic research into this phenomenon has been notoriously taboo and difficult to conduct. Many professionals, with the understanding that race is a socially contracted identifier, avoid using it as a research foundation. This is done with the belief that focusing on race will only further misconceptions and institutional racism. This article, however, points out that the impact of this racial disparity cannot be rectified without targeted research. Considering Black Americans are showing higher and more severe cases of hypertension while simultaneously being less responsive to treatment, a lack of research only serves to to amplify the health disparity.

    SSBP is a trait in which changes in blood pressure directly corresponds to salt sensitivity. It is a major risk factor for hypertension. Individuals with the SS (salt-sensitive) expression are more likely to experience high blood pressure than those that are SR (salt-resistant). It has also been found that Black people are more likely to be salt sensitive. The mechanism of this trait is still debated and not widely researched. Despite this, the article uses epigenetics and the socioeconomic climate to loosely connect this occurrence to slavery.

    The Theory: An African diet with low salt content lends itself to increased salt sensitivity. Once these sensitive individuals were enslaved and transported across the world, the harsh travel conditions led to many deaths and limited gene variation. In the modern day African Americans, SS was likely passed down through generations. This was then exasterbated by decreased avaliability of nutrition and regular health care. 

    Overall, I found this paper to be enlightening and very influential. It is not mean to point fingers, but to encourage further genetic research into this subject for the benefit a historically neglected people. It is important to understand how the human body works for all people. Even more so, it is important to understand how the actions we take and the environment we live in can alter/influence function. In the future, I would like to see a response to this paper that boldly identifies the mechanisms of SSBP in relation to race and offers treatment or life style adjustments for improved outcomes. 

The Genetics & Biology in Preeclampsia

The Genetics & Biology in Preeclampsia

    Preeclampsia is a medical condition that occurs during pregnancy, “...characterized by the onset of hypertension, proteinuria, and edema”(Kanasaki and Kalluri). This condition results from placenta defects. It affects approximately 5 to 8% of women during pregnancy. One of the most common and major complications is hypertension (high blood pressure) which is often associated with preeclampsia. This can cause complications to the mother and the unborn child. This condition leads to the presence of edema, which has the plasma volume lower than normal. This may cause damage to the mother and baby’s organs, because of the lower systemic perfusion. Preeclampsia can affect not just the pregnancy, but also the kidneys, because it can cause glomerular endotheliosis. “The risk of preeclampsia increases in those who have limited sperm exposure with the same partner before conception” (Haram et al.).

This condition can cause other medical conditions such as HELLP syndrome, which brings more complications to the pregnancy. In many studies, it shows the “evidence of a genetic association with preeclampsia for the endoplasmatic reticulum aminopeptidases 1 and 2 (ERAP1 and 2) genes. The ERAP1 and ERAP2 genes encode enzymes that play roles in blood pressure regulation via involvement of the renin-angiotensin system in addition to the innate immune system” (Haram et al.). Preeclampsia is still being studied and researched to understand the cause and all of its factors involved.



1. Genetic Aspects of Preeclampsia and the HELLP Syndrome (hindawi.com)

Haram, Kjell, et al. “Genetic Aspects of Preeclampsia and the HELLP Syndrome.” Hindawi. Accessed June 2014.
2. The biology of preeclampsia (sciencedirectassets.com)

Kanasaki, Keizo, and Raghu Kalluri. “The Biology of Preeclampsia.” Biological Science Collection. Accessed August 2009.

Possible Hope for Dementia

An article in the New York Times states that there is promise in reducing the risk in dementia.  The study has stated that patients (over the age of 50 and do not have diabetes or history of a stroke) who are being treated with hypertension are less likely to show early warning signs in dementia such as memory loss.  The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and is now the first large scale randomized trial that shows promise to combating early stage Alzheimer's and dementia.

The treatment shows promise due to the overwhelming number of applicable patients due to the fact that more than 75% of people over the age of 65 are affected with hypertension.  The research through SPRINT started in 2010 involving more than 9000 "racially and ethnically diverse people" who were all independent and did not need assistance in daily living.  The study is still going on and is not complete yet due to the fact that the risk of dementia increases with age and they would like to narrow studies to age 80 and older.

A Cure for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension could be in the works...

Illustration depicting the location of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is a specific type of high blood pressure that affects, not only the arteries, but the lungs too. It can cause lifelong symptoms of dizziness, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Researchers at St. George’s University, in London, have identified new genetic markers for this condition. 

            Genome sequencing of 1,038 patients was conducted, to understand its genetic components. The researchers identified three genes for pulmonary arterial hypertension and one gene that puts someone at risk for developing the disorder. Prior to this study, no singular genes were matched to pulmonary arterial hypertension. Without understanding its genome, diagnosis, treatment, and possibly a cure is very difficult to proceed with. 

            With about 200,000 cases per year in just the United States alone, this discovery can lead to new drug development and treatment of this condition. In addition, it can improve diagnoses and treat those with the at risk gene ahead of time, saving their life from uncomfortable side effects.

Link to Article: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-04-genetic-treatments-pulmonary-arterial-hypertension.html

Image: https://www.activebeat.com/your-health/treatment-options-for-pulmonary-arterial-hypertension/

Newly Discovered Genetic Links to High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure could lead to serious health risks including stroke, heart disease, heart failure, and heart attack.  It is one of the most common health ailments in the country with nearly 1 out of 3 adults that have this condition, but only half of those effected are actually treated.  Besides lack of exercise and poor diet, your genes also play a role in the risk of getting hypertension.  New studies were done by researchers who tested the genomes of hundreds of thousands of adult subjects, finding 107 genes linked to high blood pressure.  About 30 of those genes were newly discovered, while over 50 were validated from a previous study.  These findings bring hope to researchers that new medications can be produced targeting these newly discovered regions to prevent and treat patients at risk for high blood pressure and related, more severe illnesses.

I believe the findings of this research will benefit countless people since so many either suffer or are at risk of hypertension.  It would be really great to see new medications produced soon, considering I know friends and relatives who are at risk with their heart health.

Researchers Discover Kidney Gene May Play a Role in Blood Pressure Regulation

        A research team from the University of Cincinnati, used male mice to study the KAP gene. Kidney androgen-regulated protein, KAP, is only found in the kidney proximal tubule, and is stimulated in by an androgen hormone (testosterone for example). Although the kidney proximal tubule contains profuse amount of KAP, the function of KAP is unknown.

Manoocher Soleimani, MD

        Manoocher Soleimani, MD, Professor of Medicine and Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Internal Medicine at University of Cincinnati, led the study. The study included male mice with a deficiency in the KAP gene and significantly reduced blood pressure, and a group of control mice, who did not have a deficiency in the KAP gene. All of the mice were placed on a high salt diet for 14 days. After the 14 days, the mice with the KAP deficiency had a normal blood pressure and the mice in the control group were not significantly affected.
          Soleimani says, "It is well known that men are more prone to develop hypertension than women, specifically before the age of 50. While this has correlated with higher testosterone levels in men, the exact association between male hormones and hypertension remains unknown. Our results suggest that KAP, which is regulated by testosterone plays an important role in the systemic blood pressure in male animals through regulation of salt absorption in the kidney tubule."

        Although I know nothing about KAP genes and know very little about the regulation of blood pressure, this article still seemed interesting to me. The study seemed very straightforward. The researchers found their answer by simply feeding the mouse high amounts of salt than normal and measuring their blood pressure. I think the procedure was so simple, but the results were very important. The results from this study could possibly lead to treatments and protections for irregular blood pressure. I think the first step into possible therapies begins with finding out the function of the KAP gene.

Main Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141117130725.htm
Related Article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19332469

New Hypertension Research Could Save Lives

Many people around the world struggle with hypertension.  Whether it is caused by diet or genetics the effects of hypertension could be deadly.  Researchers at Queen Mary University in London have linked 11 genes to the cause of hypertension.  The article discusses how the researchers studied over 120,000 individuals and examined the variants in known blood pressure traits.  Such research could change the pharmaceutical industry as well.  The scientists who develop drugs to treat hypertension could begin designing medicine to better treat this disease.  Hypertension is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide and according to this article it is known as "the silent killer".  Hypertension affects many people and can cause other serious problems such as a heart attack or stroke.  This research will change the way doctors treat hypertension and hopefully help them save more lives.

I believe that this new research is life changing for millions of people around the world.  Many people do not consider high blood pressure to be a huge problem but the serious conditions it can cause, if left untreated, are killing many people everyday.  Since hypertension is known as the "silent killer", being able to detect the presence of hypertension through genetics could help catch the issue early enough before tragedy can strike.  The genetic research being performed will help save lives and create a better life for those effected by hypertension.

Article Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140220141802.htm

Related Link: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=13118

Pressure Genes

The University of Western Australia has conducted research that shows a relationship between blood pressure and DNA. An article recently posted in Nature shows that there are 16 genes that can be directly related to blood pressure. Scientists believe that by identifying these genes new treatments for cardiovascular diseases can be discovered. Hypertension is a disease that affects over one billion people throughout the world. These findings are leading to new advances in treatments for people that suffer from hypertension.

Further studies have also been conducted that show genes associated with pulse pressure and arterial pressure. Twenty four of these regions contain traits for both pressures. The School of Pathology at the university is currently studying ways that these genes can help with diagnostics of blood pressure diseases.

I find that this is an extremely important find for the advancements of cardiovascular treatments, but I think scientists are still a long way from fully understanding how blood pressure genes function.

The Mystery of Hypertension

It seems that hypertension is on the minds of most people upon entering their primary physician's office. High blood pressure fits in right up there next to cholesterol level and body weight on the list of everyday health concerns. In an article found in the Health and Wellness section of Tree.com called The Genetics of Hypertension, a few points are made that suggest some of the likely causes of high blood pressure. Some of these points may help clear up some confusion or settle the minds of those who may be worried about their own risk. The main question at hand here is: are there steps I can take to ensure that my blood pressure stays at a healthy level, or is it simply written in my genetic blueprint? The answer is yes. To both questions, actually.

Researchers have provided extensive data showing that people of African descent are more at risk of developing hypertension than people of Caucasian descent.They are also at higher risk of developing cardiac conditions due to a higher blood pressure, such as heart attack or stroke. Also, males are more at risk of developing high blood pressure than females of the same age. That said, females are also fully capable of having high blood pressure as well.



It's a commonly known statistic that people are more likely to develop any illness or condition when it is present in family history. Further, smoking, drinking in excess, and leading a sedentary lifestyle is proven to raise blood pressure no matter how clean of a family history one has or what gender of ethnicity they are. On the other hand, leading a healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of people that are in genetic danger of developing hypertension.

Geneticists have already located at least three variants on the kidney gene G protein coupled receptor kinase Type 4 (GRK4) than show relevant accompaniment with essential hypertension. Essential hypertension is the occurrence of high blood pressure with out any significant medical cause. It is likely that advancements will be made that will make possible the early detection, better treatment and possible gene therapy of patients with hypertension.