A common genetic defect increases the risk for stroke, according to researchers in Denmark. The common genetic defect is passed on through families causing hemochromatosis which leads to excessive iron in the body. This overload can eventually lead to organ dysfunction, diabetes, and liver cirrhosis.

Out of 9,178 people in the Danish study, 393 people had a stroke and 504 people developed cerebrovascular disease over a 24 year period. The researchers screened all of the participants for the H63D genetic defect in the HFE gene (also known as the hemochromatosis gene).

Hemochromatosis (can also be spelled haemochromatosis) is the most common iron overload disorder. It is characterized by the improper processing by the body of dietary iron. Since the body has no way to get rid of the extra iron, they ware stored in the organs, primarily the heart, liver and pancreas. Although there are treatments, without management (phlebotomy – or giving blood) the organs will begin to fail.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 3rd, 2007 at 6:58 am and is filed under Diet and Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.