Title:Cardiovascular Pharmacogenetics of Antihypertensive and Lipid- Lowering Therapies
Volume: 14
Issue: 7
Author(s): P. Vanichakarn, J. Hwa and J. Stitham
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Coronary artery disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, pharmacogenetics, pharmacogenomics.
Abstract: Recent changes to the clinical management guidelines for hypertension and hyperlipidemia have
placed emphasis on prevention through the pharmacological control and reduction of cardiovascular risk
factors. In conjunction with proper diet and lifestyle changes, such risk factor control necessitates the use of
safe and effective pharmacotherapy. However, many patients fail to reach or maintain therapeutic goals due to
inadequacy and/or variability in response to antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medications. Thus, given the
contribution of both hypertension and hyperlipidemia in the development and progression of cardiovascular
disease, a personalized approach to pharmacotherapy, as well as disease prevention, seems particularly
prudent. With the advancement of cardiovascular pharmacogenetics, the aim is to identify genetic biomarkers
of drug-response and disease-susceptibility in order to make informed and individualized decisions, improving
patient care through proper drug selection and dosing.
