Concordance for dyslipidemic hypertension in male twins
Article Abstract:
Some people with high blood pressure also have abnormalities in their blood lipid (fat and cholesterol) levels. ''Dyslipidemic hypertension'' is a term coined to describe a syndrome in which certain middle-aged men with familial hypertension have also been noted to have a much greater than expected number of lipid abnormalities. The degree to which heredity and environment contribute to these abnormalities is not clear. A study of a large number of twins, all male, both monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) was conducted, spanning the period from 1969 through 1986. The number of pairs of twins in which both members were found to have both hypertension and abnormal lipid profiles, or dyslipidemic hypertension, was considerably higher than would be predicted if their were no familial or genetic predisposition to this syndrome. The number of monozygotic twin sets with dyslipidemic hypertension was three times greater than the number of dizygotic pairs. Obesity and glucose intolerance, an inability to metabolize sugar properly (which is often a precursor to diabetes), were also found to follow a similar familial pattern. An interesting exception to this pattern was seen in those pairs of twins in which one had gained considerably more weight in adulthood than his brother. The more obese twin was much more likely to have dyslipidemic hypertension than his thinner twin, suggesting to the investigators that genetic effects might have more influence in earlier stages of the disease and environmental factors more importance later. A higher than expected death rate from cardiovascular disease was seen among those who had dyslipidemic hypertension than among those who had abnormal lipid profiles or hypertension alone. Further study is needed to determine the degree of contribution of heredity and environment to these risk factors for heart disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1991
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Association of small low-density lipoprotein particles with the incidence of coronary artery disease in men and women
Article Abstract:
Small low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles appear to be a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). These particles carry cholesterol in the blood and occur in a variety of sizes. Researchers measured the size of LDL particles in blood samples from 124 pairs of participants, one of whom had a history of CAD or heart attack and one of whom did not. Those with a history of heart disease had smaller LDL particles compared to the healthy participants. This was true even after adjusting for other risk factors. Small LDL particles may be more susceptible to oxidation.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
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