Gene link with heart disease in smokers

A common gene variant, when carried by cigarette smokers, can significantly increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

While smokers have an increased risk of CHD, new research funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) shows that the Apo-E gene makes them much more vulnerable to heart problems if they are smokers.

The gene comes in three common forms - E2, E3 and E4. The researchers studied a group of 3,052 healthy middle-aged men (50 to 61 years) drawn from family practices throughout the UK.

Genetic-based techniques were used to determine if the men carried one or more copies of the E2 or E4 variant or held the common E3 version. The participants were then monitored annually for an eight-year period.

CHD events included all fatal or non-fatal heart attacks as well as coronary artery surgery and silent heart attacks occurring over the study period.

The researchers looked at the different versions of Apo-E in the men and found that in those with the E4 version, the risk in smokers was over three times greater than those who had never smoked.

The risk was still 2.8 times higher for this group even after taking account of all other risk factors. The risk of CHD in E4 former smokers was similar to those who had never smoked, strongly suggesting that the high risk in smokers was reversible by quitting.

For further information please contact Patrick Edwards, University College, UK, Tel: +44 20 7679 1621. Fax: +44 20 7916 8526.