PHARMACOGENOMICS IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES - A PATH TO PERSONALISED MEDICINE

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, posing a major challenge to global health systems. Despite significant advances in therapeutics, variability in drug response continues to limit treatment efficacy and safety. Pharmacogenomics—the study of how genetic variations influence drug metabolism, efficacy, and toxicity—offers a transformative approach to optimizing cardiovascular therapy. By identifying genetic determinants that affect drug targets, transporters, and metabolizing enzymes, pharmacogenomics enables clinicians to tailor treatment strategies to individual genetic profiles. Key examples include genotype-guided dosing of warfarin (CYP2C9, VKORC1), clopidogrel responsiveness (CYP2C19), and statin-induced myopathy risk (SLCO1B1). Integrating pharmacogenomic testing into clinical practice can enhance therapeutic precision, reduce adverse drug reactions, and improve patient outcomes. However, challenges such as cost, limited clinical implementation, and lack of diverse population data remain barriers to widespread adoption. As genomic technologies advance and evidence-based guidelines evolve, pharmacogenomics represents a critical step toward realizing the promise of personalized medicine in cardiovascular care.