Genetic link to blood pressure (UK)

"The discovery of eight new genes gives the first explanation of how blood pressure may be regulated and paves the way for developing new treatments, scientists said. Scientists at Queen Mary, University of London, jointly led an international collaboration which identified eight common genetic variants that have an influence on high blood pressure, which affects at least 18 million people in the UK. About half the patients who are treated do not achieve the recommended targets to fully reverse their risk of stroke and heart attack, the scientists said. Professor Mark Caulfield, who helped lead the study, said: "These findings are exciting because, for the first time, they give us an explanation of how blood pressure may be regulated and how individuals in the population may develop high blood pressure." - Channel 4