# Genetic ancestry and antihypertensive medication responses in African Americans

> **NIH NIH K01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2020 · $124,441

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Hypertension (HTN) is the leading modifiable cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the US, affecting 80
million Americans and costing over $45 billion annually. HTN has profound, disproportionate effects on African
Americans (AAs). My goal in seeking a Mentored Research Career Development Award is to acquire the
necessary training, practical experience, and knowledge to develop a research career as a principal
investigator focused on reducing health disparities through scientific discoveries made using the combination
of pharmacoepidemiology (medication effects in populations) and pharmacogenomics (genetic causes of
variable medication effects).
To continue my progress towards this goal, the objective of this project is to determine the association between
genetic ancestry, including individual genetic variants, with blood pressure control, antihypertensive medication
responses, and CVD outcomes in AAs. Given the observed racial differences in antihypertensive medication
response, the central hypothesis is that the racial disparities in HTN control and long-term sequelae are related
to genetic differences in the response to antihypertensive medications, particularly angiotensin converting
enzyme inhibitors. The rationale for this project is that genetic ancestry will identify genetic factors accounting
for racial differences in antihypertensive medication responses and provide a framework for the development
of personalized approaches to antihypertensive treatment. At the same time, it will provide the means to place
me on a trajectory towards a research career as a principal investigator focused on reducing health disparities
using the combination of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacogenomics.
To test the central hypothesis and accomplish the objectives for this application, I will pursue the following
three specific aims: 1) Establish the association of genetic ancestry and blood pressure control in AAs by
medication class; 2) Determine if genetic ancestry modifies the effect of antihypertensive medications on CVD
events in AAs; and 3) Identify opportunities to improve blood pressure control among African American
Veterans. I will utilize three cohorts of AAs: (1) Jackson Heart Study (JHS): a large exclusively African
American cohort study (n=5,301) with detailed genetic, clinical, and socioeconomic status (SES) variables, (2)
Antihypertensive and Lipid Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT): a large (n=42,419)
randomized trial (RCT) comparing the efficacy of four antihypertensive medications on CVD events, and (3)
Veterns Administration Informatics and Computing Infrastructure (VINCI): a database with patient data
including medication claims, electronic health records, and administrative claims for all Veterans (n=~9 million).
This contribution is a significant first step in a continuum of research that characterizes the role of genetic
ancestry, including individual genetic variants, in HTN treatm...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9962980
- **Project number:** 5K01HL133468-05
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Adam P Bress
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $124,441
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-15 → 2021-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9962980

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9962980, Genetic ancestry and antihypertensive medication responses in African Americans (5K01HL133468-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9962980. Licensed CC0.

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