Health
Cardiac valve disease deaths run in the family
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Nov. 22, 2004
Having a relative who died of mitral valve disease increases the risk of dying from the disease, according to a paper published online Nov. 1 in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Assn.
University of Utah researchers analyzed data from the state's population database showing that having a first-degree relative who died of the disease increases the risk by 155%. Having a second-degree relative increases the risk by 67%.
Authors of the paper say this suggests a genetic factor plays a role in the development of this medical condition. They are advocating further studies to identify the gene.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/11/22/hlbf1122.htm.