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Posts Tagged ‘STK39’

December 30, 2008

20% of Caucasians May Have Hypertension Gene »

New findings published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week points to a gene that may be present in 20% of caucasians with high blood pressure. The STK39 gene directs the production of a protein that controls how kidneys process salt – a key factor in blood pressure fluctuation. When the body retains too much salt it also retains water, which is why those with hypertension are always advised to eat a low salt diet. Although this discovery will likely lead to new treatments, hypertension is a complex disease that can have many contributing factors – family history, diabetes, poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, obesity, just to name a few. So as you can see, even if you don’t have the STK39 gene there are plenty of ways to get hypertension. And if you do have the gene there are likely other risk factors which you can do something about.

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Posted by Steven / December 30, 2008 10:36 pm / Permalink / Comments (5) / Trackbacks (0)