A gene on chromosome 5 appears to influence the production of the sodium-regulating hormone aldosterone. Researchers analyzed genetic data from families on the Caribbean island of Tobago (where the population has about 94% African ancestry) and found that genetics account for 34% of individual variations in plasma aldosterone concentration and about 25% of variation in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Levels of aldosterone tend to be high in people of African descent. Aldosterone was very important to their early ancestors in the arid climate of Africa. Dietary intake of sodium in today's world is much higher, and there may not be the need for the amount of aldosterone produced, leading to a level of sodium balance that places individuals at risk for hypertension.
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Genetic data related to sodium-regulating hormone may help explain hypertension risk
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