News in Brief Genetics

Genetic difference in blood clotting may underlie racial health disparity

Finding could help explain difference between blacks and whites in heart attack survival

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

A difference in blood clotting could help explain why blacks don’t survive heart attacks as often as whites do.

Racial disparities in heart disease and other illnesses have many contributing factors, including social and cultural ones, but genetics may a play role too.