High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, but the genetic causes of high cholesterol are not well understood. Now, researchers have identified two genes that may be involved in the development of high cholesterol.
The first gene, dubbed PCSK9, has previously been linked to high cholesterol levels. The new study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, found that variants of PCSK9 are associated with an increased risk of high cholesterol.
The second gene, ABCG5, is involved in the transport of cholesterol and other lipids in the body. The study found that variants of ABCG5 are associated with reduced cholesterol levels.
These findings could lead to new treatments for high cholesterol, and may help to explain why some people are more susceptible to high cholesterol than others.
New clues to genetic causes of high cholesterol
Most people with high cholesterol have no symptoms and do not know they have the condition. High cholesterol is often discovered during a routine blood test.
High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems.
If you have high cholesterol, you can take steps to lower it and reduce your risk of these health problems.
A new study has found genetic variants that may help explain why some people have high cholesterol.
Researchers looked at the genomes of more than half a million people and found 19 new variants that are associated with high cholesterol.
Some of these variants are common, and some are rare.
The study also found that people with certain combinations of these variants have a much higher risk of high cholesterol than people with just one or two of them.
This information could help doctors better personalized treatments for high cholesterol.
The findings also suggest that there may be new targets for drugs to treat high cholesterol.
This study is an important step forward in our understanding of the genetic causes of high cholesterol.
