Genetic variants identified in high blood pressure risk

Scientists say the discoveries could lead to new ways of tackling high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

In total 28 variants were identified by pooling results from genetic studies involving more than 200,000 people around the world.

The research also turned up a previously unknown association between high blood pressure, or hypertension and an iron-overload condition called haemochromotosis.

The study, reported in an early online edition of the journal Nature, focused on systolic and diastolic blood pressure, measures of blood pressure on and between heartbeats.