22 May Both Genetics and Traditional Risk Factors Help Predict Premature Cardiac Events
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Christopher Labos MD CM, FRCPC, MSc candidate
Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health
McGill University
Montreal, Quebec Canada
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Labos: A higher genetic risk score (GRS) composed of a set of recently discovered genetic markers strongly linked to cardiovascular disease is associated with an earlier age of first acute coronary syndromes (ACS). We also found that other traditional risk factors such as smoking, obesity and male sex were also associated with an earlier ACS. Two medication classes were also associated with age of first ACS: hormone replacement therapy was associated with earlier ACS while aspirin was associated with ACS occuring at a later age.
MedicalResearch: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Dr. Labos: Although many people believe that genetic factors are responsible for acute coronary syndromes at a young age, we have shown, that although these genetic factors appear to play some role in early ACS, that traditional risk factors such as smoking, male sex, and obesity may be particularly important in earlier acute coronary syndromes.
MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Labos: Heart disease is largely preventable, and early ACS, may be preventable with a concerted effort to aggressively reduce risk factors such as obesity and smoking.
MedicalResearch: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Labos: Future studies that look at premature ACS should consider each indiviudal’s risk factor burden rather than simply their age when identifying individuals to study for genetic causes for their ACS. Furthermore, understanding how genetics and these important risk factors interact will also be an important area of future research.
Citation:
Heart heartjnl-2013-305416Published Online First: 19 May 2014 doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2013-305416
Last Updated on May 22, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD