Genetics of Primary Arterial Hypertension

The dissection of the molecular genetic basis of primary hypertension is subject of intensive research and has recently made rapid progress. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and theirmeta-analyses play an important role. Based on recent studies, more than 900 independent blood pressure associated loci across the genome have been identified. In addition to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension, a risk assessment for the development of hypertension can be envisioned in the future. Furthermore, the results may enable the development of new drugs and individualized therapy strategies (pharmacogenetics) for hypertension. However, these results are not yet relevant for the management of primary hypertension in clinical practice.