Ference BA, Bhatt DL, Catapano AL, et al. - Researchers examined how genetic variants related to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) are associated with the lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease. In Mendelian randomization analyses involving 438,952 participants, they identified a significant association of genetic variants related to lower LDL-C and lower SBP with independent, additive, and dose-dependent lower risk of cardiovascular disease. For example, an odds ratio of 0.61 for major coronary events (coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization) was estimated for participants with genetic variants associated with both 14-mg/dL lower LDL-C and 3-mm Hg lower SBP. Findings suggest lower cardiovascular risk in correlation with lifelong genetic exposure to lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower systolic blood pressure.