The advances in human genetics that have ocurred during the past 20 years have revolutionized our knowledge of the role played by inheritance in health and disase. It is clear that our DNA determines not only the emergence of catastrophic single-gene disorders, which affect millions of persons worldwide, but also interacts with environments to predispose individuals to cancer, allergy, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, psychiatric disorders and even to some infectious diseases. Overall, the study of longevity and the demonstration of genes favouring a long lifespan suggest that such...

Incidence and mortality of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD) vary considerably among races, populations and ethnic groups. Some individuals with low levels of risk factors succumb early to disease while many others with a high risk profile do not. CHD clusters in families and is manyfold increased in first degree relatives of persons with an early onset of the disease. Such studies provide compelling evidence of the high degree of heritability of CHD and its risk factors.
This book consolidates the available evidence for the roles of genetics in atherosclerosis, its...

The advances in human genetics that have ocurred during the past 20 years have revolutionized our knowledge of the role played by inheritance in health and disase. It is clear that our DNA determines not only the emergence of catastrophic single-gene disorders, which affect millions of persons worldwide, but also interacts with environments to predispose individuals to cancer, allergy, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, psychiatric disorders and even to some infectious diseases. Overall, the study of longevity and the demonstration of genes favouring a long lifespan suggest that such...