Genetics of coronary heart disease
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for men and women in the United States. It affects more than 13 million Americans. Heart disease is when plaque builds up in the arteries of the heart itself. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood. Plaque is a waxy substance mostly made from fats and cholesterol. This is sometimes called hardening of the arteries. As plaque builds up, it narrows the arteries, causing blood flow to slow down. This slowly starves the heart of oxygen and nutrients it needs to work right. Gene changes, even tiny ones, may play a role in heart disease. Vanderbilt scientists will use BioVU to check for a link between heart disease and certain gene changes. They will look for gene changes related to blood sugar. They will also look at how often these gene changes occur in different populations. This study may help doctors better predict who is at risk for heart disease. It might also us learn how to better treat it.