Genome-wide linkage analysis of population variation in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Lower plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are associated with the metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance, obesity, hypertension) and higher cardiovascular risk. Recent association studies have suggested rare alleles responsible for very low HDL-C levels. However, for individual cardiovascular risk factors, the majority of population-attributable deaths are associated with average rather than extreme levels.

Familial and genomic analyses of postural changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

The physiological adaptation to the erect posture involves integrated neural and cardiovascular responses that might be determined by genetic factors. We examined the familial- and individual-specific components of variance for postural changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in 767 volunteer nuclear adult families from the Victorian Family Heart Study. In 274 adult sibling pairs, we made a genome-wide scan using 400 markers for quantitative trait loci linked with the postural changes in systolic and diastolic pressures.

Genome-wide linkage analysis of the acute coronary syndrome suggests a locus on chromosome 2.

A positive family history is a recognized cardiovascular risk factor, and genome-wide scans may reveal susceptibility loci for coronary artery disease. The acute coronary syndrome, consisting of myocardial infarction and unstable angina, is the most important manifestation of coronary disease and is characterized by atherosclerotic plaque disruption and coronary thrombosis. From approximately 6000 hospital admissions to cardiology units, we identified affected sibling pairs (n=61) who had documented acute coronary syndrome before the age of 70 years.

Blood pressure QTLs identified by genome-wide linkage analysis and dependence on associated phenotypes.

Understanding genetic factors that contribute to population-wide variation in blood pressure is likely to benefit prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the Victorian Family Heart Study is to identify genes for cardiovascular risk in 783 volunteer adult families recruited from the general population. In this preliminary study we sought to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) using a genome-wide linkage analysis in 274 adult sibling pairs of average age 24 yr selected without respect to blood pressure.