What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Blood Pressure and Fitness: 3/10 evidence, 0 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): T/T
Higher Blood Pressure Risk and Muscle Power
Linked to higher circulating ACE levels, which can increase blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. However, it may also enhance muscle power and strength performance.
What this genotype means: Higher risk of essential hypertension; Enhanced muscle power and strength; Lower risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Sample genotype (not yours): T/TATACAGTCACTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTGAGACGGAGTCTCGCTCTGTCGCCC
Typical Blood Pressure and Balanced Fitness
Associated with intermediate levels of ACE activity, resulting in typical blood pressure risk and a balance between endurance and power traits.
What this genotype means: Typical baseline blood pressure risk; Balanced endurance and power potential; Average risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Sample genotype (not yours): TATACAGTCACTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTGAGACGGAGTCTCGCTCTGTCGCCC/TATACAGTCACTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTGAGACGGAGTCTCGCTCTGTCGCCC
Lower Blood Pressure Risk and High Endurance
Linked to lower ACE levels, which helps maintain healthy blood pressure and enhances aerobic endurance, though it may slightly increase Alzheimer's risk.
What this genotype means: Lower risk of essential hypertension; Superior aerobic endurance capacity; Slightly higher risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The ACE gene encodes angiotensin I converting enzyme, a key component of the renin-angiotensin system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. It converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor that narrows blood vessels. ACE also degrades bradykinin, a natural vasodilator. Genetic variations in this gene have been widely studied for their impact on cardiovascular health, physical performance, and neurodegenerative disease risk.
Variant Impact: The rs1799752 variant is a well-known insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in intron 16 of the ACE gene. It involves the presence (insertion, I) or absence (deletion, D) of a 287-base-pair Alu repeat sequence. The deletion allele (D) is associated with significantly higher levels of circulating and tissue ACE activity. Conversely, the insertion allele (I) reduces ACE expression, leading to lower enzyme levels. This functional difference directly influences blood vessel constriction, athletic traits, and brain health.
Key Insight: The same genetic variant that increases the risk of high blood pressure also provides a natural boost in muscle power and strength.
Location: ACE. Chromosome 17 · 17q23.3 · 63.5 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
No frequency data available
This variant is not present in the gnomAD database.
Showing effects for T/T genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Hypertension
Blood Pressure. Evidence: 3/10. Increased Risk.
Neurology & Mental Health
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Alzheimer's Disease. Evidence: 3/10. Lower Risk.
Lifestyle, Fitness & Aging
Physical Performance & Endurance
Endurance Fitness. Evidence: 3/10. Lower Endurance.
Muscle Strength & Power
Muscle Power. Evidence: 3/10. Enhanced Power.
Showing effects for T/TATACAGTCACTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTGAGACGGAGTCTCGCTCTGTCGCCC genotype
Blood Pressure. Evidence: 3/10. Typical Risk.
Alzheimer's Disease. Evidence: 3/10. Typical Risk.
Endurance Fitness. Evidence: 3/10. Typical Endurance.
Muscle Power. Evidence: 3/10. Typical Power.
Showing effects for TATACAGTCACTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTGAGACGGAGTCTCGCTCTGTCGCCC/TATACAGTCACTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTGAGACGGAGTCTCGCTCTGTCGCCC genotype
Blood Pressure. Evidence: 3/10. Lower Risk.
Alzheimer's Disease. Evidence: 3/10. Increased Risk.
Endurance Fitness. Evidence: 3/10. Enhanced Endurance.
Muscle Power. Evidence: 3/10. Lower Power.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: TT (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the deletion allele (T/T, corresponding to D/D) is associated with up to twice the circulating ACE activity compared to insertion homozygotes. This elevated enzyme activity leads to increased production of angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor, raising the risk of essential hypertension and cardiovascular strain. Interestingly, this genotype is also linked to a lower risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease, possibly because higher ACE levels help degrade amyloid-beta plaques in the brain. In athletic contexts, the deletion genotype is more common among elite power and strength athletes, such as sprinters and weightlifters. Conversely, it may limit maximal oxygen uptake and endurance capacity during prolonged aerobic exercise. Individuals with this profile may benefit from monitoring their blood pressure regularly and engaging in cardiovascular-friendly lifestyle habits. Understanding these genetic tendencies allows for personalized fitness and wellness planning.
Higher risk of essential hypertension; Enhanced muscle power and strength; Lower risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Sample genotype: TTATACAGTCACTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTGAGACGGAGTCTCGCTCTGTCGCCC (Heterozygous)
Carrying one deletion and one insertion allele (T/I, corresponding to D/I) results in intermediate levels of circulating and tissue ACE activity. This codominant expression pattern generally leads to a typical baseline risk for essential hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Individuals with this genotype do not experience the pronounced cardiovascular risks of the deletion homozygotes, nor do they have the elevated Alzheimer's risk of the insertion homozygotes. In terms of physical fitness, this genotype provides a balanced profile, supporting moderate success in both endurance and strength-based activities without a strong genetic bias toward either. It represents the most common genetic profile in many populations, serving as a neutral baseline. Because of this balanced genetic makeup, standard guidelines for cardiovascular health and general fitness are highly applicable. Maintaining a diverse exercise routine that combines both aerobic and strength training is an excellent approach for overall well-being.
Typical baseline blood pressure risk; Balanced endurance and power potential; Average risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Sample genotype: TATACAGTCACTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTGAGACGGAGTCTCGCTCTGTCGCCCTATACAGTCACTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTGAGACGGAGTCTCGCTCTGTCGCCC (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the insertion allele (I/I) is associated with the lowest levels of circulating and tissue ACE activity. This reduction in enzyme activity limits the constriction of blood vessels, offering natural protection against high blood pressure and essential hypertension. In athletic performance, the insertion genotype is highly prevalent among elite endurance athletes, such as long-distance runners and rowers, as it supports superior oxygen utilization and cardiorespiratory efficiency. However, because ACE plays a role in degrading amyloid-beta peptides in the brain, lower enzyme levels in this genotype are associated with a moderately increased susceptibility to late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, individuals with this genotype may show a better therapeutic response to certain vasodilators like sildenafil. Regular cognitive engagement and a brain-healthy diet can help mitigate the potential neurodegenerative risks. Embracing endurance-based cardiovascular exercise is a great way to leverage this genotype's natural strengths.
Lower risk of essential hypertension; Superior aerobic endurance capacity; Slightly higher risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs4291 · ACE Gene · Chr 17 · Blood Pressure and Brain
rs4311 · ACE Gene · Chr 17 · Diabetic Kidney Risk
rs4343 · ACE Gene · Chr 17 · Blood Pressure and Kidney Risk
Content updated August 2026.
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