Gene link to increased risk of coronary heart disease, found by scientists

The risk of contracting coronary heart disease increases three fold among smoking males who carry a particular gene variant, scientists will reveal at a press briefing next week.

Professor Steve Humphries, British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiovascular Genetics at University College London (UCL), and Professor Sir Charles George, Medical Director of The British Heart Foundation, will present the findings of an 8 year study of over 3000 UK males aged 50 to 61.

The gene variant linked to high coronary disease risk in smokers -known as Apo-E - is thought to be carried by 26% of the UK male population.

The briefing comes in advance of the publication of the research in the July 13 2001 edition of The Lancet.

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Notes to Editors

i) APOE4 Increases the risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Middle Aged Men; Second Northwick Park Heart Study, Humphries et al will be printed in The Lancet, pp115-119, Vol.358, 13 July 2001.

ii) There will be a press briefing on Wednesday 11 July 2001 at University College London, Cruciform Building, Lecture Theatre 1, at 10.30am .Press wishing to attend should contact UCL Media Relations on the numbers above. Interviews with Professor Steve Humphries and Professor Sir Charles George available.

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