What is blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force your blood places on the walls of your arteries. It has two numbers: the peak when your heart contracts, and the lower level when it rests between beats. It rises with activity or stress and dips during sleep. Your kidneys, blood vessels, nervous system and a group of hormones all work together to keep it within a comfortable range for your body.
How your genes play a role
Genes influence several of these controls. Some shape the hormone system that tightens vessels and holds on to salt and water. Others affect how your kidneys handle sodium, or how your heart responds to adrenaline. Each variant usually has a modest effect, and together they interact with salt intake, sleep, movement and stress.
Blood pressure often changes quietly, without obvious signs. Understanding the pathways that may be more sensitive for you can help you notice which habits deserve attention, such as salt, sleep or stress. It can also help you and your clinician decide how often to check readings at home. Genetic insight does not replace a blood pressure cuff. It adds context, so the numbers you see feel more meaningful and easier to act on.
What your report shows
Your Blood Pressure results are explained in plain language in your private EvoDNA account, alongside the other areas in your kit.
- Hormone balanceVariants in the renin and angiotensin system, which helps regulate vessel tone and fluid levels.
- Salt sensitivityGenes linked to how your kidneys handle sodium and how your pressure may respond to salt.
- Vessel relaxationHow your genes may influence nitric oxide, a natural signal that helps arteries widen.
- Stress responseVariants in receptors that shape how your heart reacts to adrenaline.
| Gene | What it does | Result |
|---|---|---|
| AGT | Makes angiotensinogen, the starting molecule of a hormone chain… | Typical |
| ACE | Produces an enzyme that converts angiotensin into its active… | Moderate effect |
| CYP11B2 | Builds aldosterone, a hormone that signals the kidneys to… | Typical |
Each result comes with a plain-language explanation and practical points to discuss with your clinician.
Illustration only. Your report reflects your own genetic results.
Genes we analyze
| Gene | Role |
|---|---|
| AGT | Makes angiotensinogen, the starting molecule of a hormone chain that helps raise and regulate blood pressure. |
| ACE | Produces an enzyme that converts angiotensin into its active form, which narrows blood vessels. |
| CYP11B2 | Builds aldosterone, a hormone that signals the kidneys to keep sodium and water. |
| ADRB1 | Encodes a receptor on heart cells that responds to adrenaline and influences heart rate and force. |
| SLC12A3 | Provides a sodium and chloride transporter in the kidney that helps fine-tune salt balance. |
Full panel: 13 genes
ACE, AGT, NOS3, ADD1, ADRB1, CACNB2, CDKN1C, CYP11B2, CYP3A4, GNAS, FGF5, SLC4A5, SLC12A3
Putting results to use
Many people use their results as a starting point for conversations with their clinician about:
Many people review their sodium intake with their clinician, especially from packaged and restaurant foods.
Vegetables, fruit and legumes are often discussed for their role in a balanced eating pattern.
Regular aerobic activity is commonly explored as a way to support healthy blood vessels.
Steady sleep and simple ways to unwind may help your body keep a more relaxed baseline.
Questions
Can genes explain my blood pressure readings?
Genes are only one part of the picture. Diet, activity, sleep, stress, age and medications all influence your readings, often more than any single variant.
What is salt sensitivity?
Some people see a larger change in blood pressure in response to salt than others. Research suggests genes involved in kidney sodium handling may contribute to this difference.
Should I change my medication based on my results?
No. Never change medication on your own. Share your report with your clinician, who can decide whether it adds anything useful to your care.
Only interested in this area? The High Blood Pressure Genetic Report is available on its own for $99.00.
