Hypertension

This study aims to investigate the interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental influences relating to hypertension and cardiovascular disease in Norfolk Islanders. Why Norfolk Island as a target population? The population of Norfolk Island is considered genetically isolated, with few founding members giving rise to the population. Such a population allows easier analysis of genetically inherited traits and disorders compared to investigations of a random Australian population.

Heart disease and related conditions such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes are prevalent in all Western and Polynesian populations including the Norfolk Island population. We are studying the genetic risk factors involved in cardiovascular science and the Norfolk Island population provides a unique opportunity to study these genes in our isolated founder effect population. A significant number of Islanders has a high level of a number of other cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and increased glucose levels. Obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol are accepted as being major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and hence this could result in a significant issue for population health with a predicted high burden on health service requirements well into the new century.

It is recognised and widely accepted that existence of a combination of risk factors substantially increases the risk of heart disease. Therefore, individuals with a family history of cardiovascular disease and a combination of additional risk factors will be genetically analysed in an attempt to understand the interaction between environmental and genetic components of heart disease.

Claire Bellis