Detection of genes that control heart rate

A new study has found that genes play an important role in maintaining the stability of heartbeat. Scientists hope this finding could help develop a new drug that can effectively treat heart attacks and related diseases.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world. It is estimated that there are about 7 million heart disease deaths in the world every year. In particular, more than half of these deaths are sudden death due to arrhythmia (ventricular fibrillation, weak pulse, .).

The heartbeat is controlled by electrical signals located in the heart and that signal is transmitted to the external heart muscle system. Recently, a team at the Royal University of England found a gene called SCN10A, which controls these electrical signals.

Scientists believe that changes or destruction of SCN10A genes may increase the risk of heart disease.

With the discovery of this gene, researchers hope they can help better understand the mechanism that controls our body's heart rate and help develop new drugs that can effectively treat the disorder. Cardiovascular disorders. In addition, the team hopes their findings will help medical professionals find out why the risk of heart disease varies among people.

Dr. John Chambers, head of the study, said: 'Gene mutations are always two-sided. On the one hand it may increase your risk of heart disease, but on the other it can reduce that risk. We have identified genes that play an important role in controlling heart rate. The difference of this gene among different people will help us better understand the cause of arrhythmia. '

In this study, scientists conducted a genetic analysis of about 20,000 people to find out which genes affect heart rate. They used an electrocardiogram to measure the heart rate and the time the electrical signals traveled to the heart muscles of the participants.