New gene variant associated with stroke and heart attack found

Scientists at King's College London have identified a gene marker that could be linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

A variation in a protein known as glycoprotein IIIa has been associated with a greater risk of thrombotic stroke and heart attack, following analysis of data from 50,000 participants from a combined total of 82 studies.

Multiple instances of the PlA2 genetic variant were found to be connected to an even more elevated risk, suggesting that tracking this genetic biomarker could be a useful means of predicting people's future health outcomes.

The team believe that a blood test could be developed based on this understanding, allowing health problems to be addressed in advance.

Albert Ferro, professor of cardiovascular clinical pharmacology at King's College London, said: "Such patients could be identified for a more determined reduction of risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure or high cholesterol."

In the UK, over 150,000 people have a stroke every year, while there are around 103,000 heart attacks. They are among the leading reasons for people needing emergency care.