Genetics in Hypertension

All living things are made of building blocks called cells. Genes are the part of cells that contain the instructions which determine important things about you, like your height or hair color, and affect your health. DNA is the material in the cells that makes up your genes and your particular make-up is call your genotype. Changes or differences in a gene (your genotype) may affect your chances of developing a particular disease, or how a person responds to a particular drug. Your genes are passed down from your parents and then passed on to your children. Different forms of certain genes in your body, for example, the B2AR gene, can increase your blood pressure. The form of the gene that could raise your blood pressure is called the risk allele or risk genotype. Taking too much salt in your food or drink also can increase your blood pressure. In this research study we want to determine if different forms of the B2AR gene and the level of salt intake act together to cause high blood pressure.