Scientists from St George’s University of London found that people with twisted fundus arteries have an increased risk of hypertension and heart problems. Research published in the journal PLOS Genetics.
Using artificial intelligence, the researchers analyzed retinal images of nearly 53,000 people. It made it possible to quickly detect various types of blood vessels (arteries and veins), as well as measure their width and degree of curvature.
Scientists have found that highly curved arteries cause high diastolic blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease. It was previously thought that high blood pressure could cause curvature of the arteries, but the results of studies show that it may be the other way around.
Later, doctors discovered 119 regions in the genome that are responsible for the width and shape of the fundus blood vessels.
Analysis of genetic data may become a screening method in the future. Fundus examination is a relatively simple procedure, making it possible to use it now to identify individuals at high risk of hypertension who need early intervention.