NEWS

Mutant gene causes Greeks heart problems

Scientists in Athens said yesterday that they have discovered a gene mutation among Greeks which means that they are more at risk of suffering from inflamed hearts than other nationalities. The discovery was made by Evangelia Krania of the Athens Academy and Cincinnati University. Krania presented her findings before an international cardiology conference in Athens. She said that she had discovered a mutation in the gene that is responsible for the flow of calcium when the heart contracts and expands. Krania said that the gene’s alteration means Greeks, particularly between the ages of 18 and 40, are more likely to suffer from dilated cardiomyopathy – when the heart muscle becomes inflamed and does not work properly. Of 1,200 people from Greece, Japan, France and the USA tested during the research, Krania said only the Greeks showed a gene mutation.

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