Clinical Research Influence of Genetic Risk Factors on Coronary Heart Disease Occurrence in Afro-Caribbeans

Background: Despite excessive rates of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, Afro-Caribbeans have lower mortality rates from coronary heart disease (CHD) than do whites. This study evaluated the association of genetic risk markers previously identified in whites and CHD in Afro-Caribbeans. Methods: We studied 537 Afro-Caribbean individuals (178 CHD cases and 359 controls) who were genotyped for 19 CHD-related singlenucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A genetic risk score (GRS) incorporating the 19 SNPs was calculated. These participants were compared with 1360 white individuals from the Second Northwick Park Heart Study. RESUME