Scientists have identified a gene that puts women at higher risk of heart disease, an early study suggests.
The
work showed that women who had a particular version of the BCAR1 gene were more
likely than other women to have heart attacks and strokes.
In
contrast, men who had the gene were not at increased risk.
Researchers say this
adds to mounting evidence that there are differences in how men and women experience
heart disease.
Thicker arteries
In
the study, published in the journal, Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics,
researchers from University College London pooled data from five European
research projects, involving nearly 4,000 men and women.
Comparing
their genes, the health of their blood vessels and the thickness of key
arteries, scientists pinpointed a version of a gene that was linked to a higher
risk of heart attacks, strokes and diseased blood vessels in women.
Though
they still have work to do to fully understand the link, researchers believe
the gene - when combined with a woman's naturally occurring oestrogen - could
lead to an increased risk of heart disease.
And
building on previous work, they suggest the gene may encourage the mass
migration of cells into the walls of key blood vessels - making them thicker.
As
blood vessel walls thicken, this could, in turn, increase the chance of
blockages that lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Lead
author of the research, Freya Boardman-Pretty, said: "We've known for a
long time that risk factors for heart disease are different for men and women.
"This
gene effect seen only in women, could be contributing to this difference,
although we expect there are a lot of other factors at play.
"If
we can confirm that this gene is involved, and work out exactly how it leads to
an increased risk of heart disease in women, it could become a new target for
drugs in the future."
She
added that more research is needed and that individuals need to look beyond
their genetic make-up and focus on healthy lifestyles to help protect
themselves from heart disease.
Dr
Shannon Amoils, from the British Heart Foundation, which helped fund the
research, added: "Heart disease is often seen as a disease which
predominantly affects men, but this is simply not the case.
"It
is imperative that everyone takes steps to prevent it. Women can reduce their
risk by not smoking, getting regular physical exercise and eating
healthily."
