Genes influence blood pressure differently in men and women

Toronto Daily News – The influence of genes on blood pressure may vary based on gender, the new study revealed.

“Sex is like a prism that refracts the effects of the gene very differently for men and women,” said Daniel T. O’Connor, M.D., UCSD professor of Medicine and Pharmacology.

The research team found that the gene-by-sex interaction was the rule, not the exception in their study of a large, community-based sample of 1,200 primary care patients in Southern California.

“Our findings show that specific genetic variations – which give rise to receptors that might be targets for ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers and other therapies used to treat hypertension – impact blood pressure differently in men and women."

"Knowing these genetic mutations may help us better diagnose hypertension and select the appropriate therapy," said O’Connor, adding that these findings support that the most appropriate therapy might well depend on whether the patient is a man or a woman.

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