Harnessing the power of genomics in hypertension: tip of the iceberg?

Abstract

Despite the blaze of advancing knowledge on its complex genetic architecture, hypertension remains an elusive condition. Genetic studies of blood pressure have yielded bitter-sweet results thus far with the identification of more than 2,000 genetic loci, though the candidate causal genes and biological pathways remain largely unknown. The era of big data and sophisticated statistical tools has propelled insights into pathophysiology and causal inferences. However, new genetic risk tools for hypertension are the tip of the iceberg, and applications of genomic technology are likely to proliferate. We review the genomics of hypertension, exploring the significant milestones in our current understanding of this condition and the progress towards personalised treatment and management for hypertension.