A genetic variation doubles the risk of developing calcium deposits in the heart, a common condition that, in severe cases, can narrow or block the aorta, according to a study published on February 06.
The genetic variation, found in seven percent of the population, provides important clues about how to treat the disease, researchers said in the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
"This is an important step forward in understanding the biology of the development of aortic stenosis," said senior author Wendy Post, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
She added that the latest findings could lead to the development of targeted medications to slow the progression of the disease, which can cause chest pain and shortness of breath, and can in some cases require surgery.
The gene in question is involved in the production of a type of cholesterol particle called lipoprotein (a), which circulates in the blood.
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