University of Leicester study finds genes which raise risk of heart attack

Scientists in Leicester have discovered 13 new genes that increase people's risk of having a heart attack.

The breakthrough means new treatments for coronary heart disease, the UK's biggest killer, could now be developed.

The study, the largest of its type ever carried out, was led by Professor Nilesh Samani, British Heart Foundation professor of cardiology at the University of Leicester, based at Glenfield hospital.

It involved 167 international doctors and scientists, and 140,000 patients across the world.

Researchers assessed different people's genetic codes. They looked for variations in DNA found in people who have coronary heart disease.

Prof Samani said: "The most exciting thing about our study is that we have discovered several new genes not previously known to be involved in the development of coronary heart disease, which is the main cause of heart attacks.

"Understanding how these genes work, which is the next step, will vastly improve our knowledge of how the disease develops.

"It will also help us better understand which patients with a family history of heart attacks are more at risk.

"It opens a really new raft of opportunities to develop new treatments to prevent heart disease."

But he warned it would be years before new drugs would be available to patients.

Prof Samani said: "This is the first stage in the process, but it is a major breakthrough."

He added: "The scale of the study shows the benefits of international collaboration in tackling major research of this type. It would not have been possible without the many patients across Britain who took part. This is a real tribute to their contribution."

Those who took part in the study, called CARDIoGRAM, included Arvind Mistry, of Evington, who suffered a heart attack about 12 years ago.

The 50-year-old BT employee, his mother, Kashiben, 80, and his sister, Jasumati, 52, all agreed to give blood samples as part of the study.

Mr Mistry, who has also had bypass surgery, said: "There's a history of heart problems on my mother's side of the family so that is why we got involved.

"I have never had a problem with my diet or my weight. It's all down to my genes.

"My mother and my sister have also suffered heart attacks."

Professor Peter Wiessberg, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: "Each new gene identified brings us a small step closer to understanding the biological mechanisms of cardiovascular disease development and potential new treatments."

Coronary heart disease claims more than 90,000 UK lives each year.

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