ABSTRACT

Introduction The genetics of cardiovascular diseases is at an exciting stage of development, and it is appropriate to review where we are at present, and what may occur within the foreseeable future. In this relatively brief review, evidence that cardiovascular diseases do have a substantial genetic basis will be considered, the ways in which the individual genes can be identified will be reviewed and the implications of this information for future clinical practice will be assessed. As the results of human genome mapping project emerge, there will be an enormous wealth of information available on new biologic mechanisms which may influence the development, progression and outcome of cardiovascular disease. The concept of the ‘post-genome challenge’ for cardiovascular researchers has focussed research endeavors for some time.