Genome-wide analysis of 1.7 million individuals reveals shared genetic liability across cardiovascular diseases in European and East Asian biobanks.

This publication is a genome-wide and exome-wide association analysis review synthesizing genetic data from approximately 1.7 million individuals across European and East Asian biobanks. The scope focuses on genetic overlap analysis across eight major cardiovascular diseases to identify shared genetic liability and correlations between disease pairs. The authors utilized genomic structural equation modelling to cluster these conditions and examine pleiotropic loci and genes.

Key synthesized findings indicate that fifteen CVD pairs demonstrated significant genetic correlations. The shared common-variant covariance explained a modest proportion of phenotypic comorbidity. Genomic structural equation modelling identified three latent genetic clusters, with pleiotropic loci and genes frequently spanning cluster boundaries. Prioritized genes converged on atherosclerosis-related processes, myocardial structural and electrical programmes, and vascular-wall biology. Additionally, body composition and metabolic traits effects consistently attenuated shared genetic liability, while circulating biomarkers effects showed smaller effects. The common-variant architecture was broadly similar between European and East Asian ancestries.

The review highlights that while these genetic overlaps exist, they represent associations rather than proven causal mechanisms. The authors acknowledge that the study relies on observational genetic data from biobanks. No adverse events, discontinuations, or tolerability data were reported, as this is a genetic association study rather than a clinical trial. The practice relevance lies in understanding the biological overlap between cardiovascular conditions, which may inform risk stratification and therapeutic targets, though clinical application requires further validation.