What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Beta-Blocker Response: 6/10 evidence, 15 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Optimal Response to Common Beta-Blockers
Inheriting two copies of the A allele is associated with a highly effective blood pressure reduction when using standard beta-blockers like metoprolol. It also correlates with a lower risk of developing resistant high blood pressure.
What this genotype means: Highly effective blood pressure reduction with metoprolol; Lower risk of resistant hypertension.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/G
Variable Response to Heart Medications
Carrying one copy of each allele results in a moderate or variable response to common blood pressure medications. It may also slightly alter the risk of cardiovascular events depending on the specific drug prescribed.
What this genotype means: Moderate blood pressure reduction with metoprolol; Favorable response to carvedilol.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Reduced Beta-Blocker Efficacy and Higher Hypertension Risk
Inheriting two copies of the G allele is linked to a significantly lower blood pressure response to standard beta-blockers and an increased risk of resistant hypertension. It may also correlate with lower resting heart rates and lower extraversion.
What this genotype means: Significantly reduced blood pressure response to metoprolol; Increased risk of resistant hypertension.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The ADRB1 gene encodes the beta-1 adrenergic receptor, a key protein found predominantly in cardiac tissue [1]. This receptor binds catecholamines like adrenaline and noradrenaline to regulate heart rate and cardiac contractility [1]. It is the primary target for beta-blocker medications, which are widely prescribed to manage high blood pressure and heart failure [2]. Variations in this gene can alter receptor stability, signaling efficiency, and how the heart responds to sympathetic nervous system stimulation [3].
Variant Impact: The rs1801252 variant represents a missense mutation in the ADRB1 gene that alters the amino acid at position 49 from serine to glycine [1]. This specific change occurs in the extracellular N-terminal domain of the receptor, which is critical for receptor regulation and stability [3]. The alteration influences how effectively beta-blocker medications can bind and inhibit the receptor's activity [2]. Consequently, this single nucleotide polymorphism is a major determinant of individual differences in blood pressure and heart rate responses to cardiovascular therapies [4].
Key Insight: A single genetic letter change in the heart's beta-1 receptor determines whether common blood pressure drugs like metoprolol will trigger a major drop in blood pressure or have almost no effect at all.
Location: ADRB1. Chromosome 10 · 10q25.3 · 114.0 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 69.5%; European 75.7%; African 59.6%; East Asian 72.7%; South Asian 76.7%; Americas 61.5%; Ashkenazi 82.7%; Finnish 68.1%; Middle Eastern 87.4%; Amish 83.6%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Global 27.5%; European 22.6%; African 35.2%; East Asian 25.1%; South Asian 21.7%; Americas 33.8%; Ashkenazi 16.5%; Finnish 28.8%; Middle Eastern 12.2%; Amish 15.6%.
Estimated AG genotype frequency.
Global 3.0%; European 1.7%; African 5.2%; East Asian 2.2%; South Asian 1.5%; Americas 4.7%; Ashkenazi 0.8%; Finnish 3.1%; Middle Eastern 0.4%; Amish 0.7%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
Pharmacogenomics
Cardiovascular Drug Response
Beta-Blocker Response. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 12844134. Stronger Response.
Heart Drug Safety. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 18615004. Typical Risk.
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Hypertension
Resistant Hypertension. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 39063918. Lower Risk.
Heart Rhythm & Conduction
Resting Heart Rate. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 11854867. Slightly Higher.
Neurology & Mental Health
Behavioral & Personality Traits
Extraversion. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 15312808. Typical.
Showing effects for A/G genotype
Beta-Blocker Response. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 12844134. Variable Response.
Heart Drug Safety. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 18615004. Increased Risk.
Resistant Hypertension. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 39063918. Typical Risk.
Resting Heart Rate. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 11854867. Typical.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
Beta-Blocker Response. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 12844134. Reduced Response.
Resistant Hypertension. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 39063918. Increased Risk.
Resting Heart Rate. Evidence: 7/10. Source: PMID 11854867. Slightly Lower.
Extraversion. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 15312808. Lower Extraversion.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
Clinical studies show that this genotype leads to a more pronounced drop in blood pressure and heart rate when treated with metoprolol compared to other genotypes. The presence of the serine amino acid at position 49 maintains receptor stability and allows for optimal drug binding [1]. Research also indicates a lower likelihood of developing resistant hypertension, where blood pressure remains high despite multiple medications [2]. Additionally, some evidence links this genotype to a slightly higher resting heart rate under normal conditions [3]. Personality studies have also noted a correlation with higher average levels of extraversion [4]. However, there may be a higher risk of adverse outcomes if taking the calcium channel blocker verapamil [5].
Highly effective blood pressure reduction with metoprolol; Lower risk of resistant hypertension.
Sample genotype: AG (Heterozygous)
Having a mixed genotype often leads to an intermediate physiological response to standard beta-blocker therapies like metoprolol [1]. While the blood pressure lowering effect may not be as robust as in those with the A/A genotype, response rates can vary widely [2]. Some clinical trials have observed a slightly increased risk of cardiovascular events when using certain beta-blockers [3]. Conversely, there is evidence suggesting a highly favorable response to alternative medications such as carvedilol [4]. This genotype is also associated with a typical resting heart rate and standard personality trait distributions. However, caution is advised if verapamil is prescribed, as some studies link this combination to elevated health risks [5].
Moderate blood pressure reduction with metoprolol; Favorable response to carvedilol.
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
Physiological studies indicate that the glycine-encoding G allele reduces the overall stability and signaling efficiency of the beta-1 adrenergic receptor [1]. Consequently, standard beta-blockers like metoprolol show a much weaker ability to lower blood pressure and heart rate in these cases [2]. There is also a significantly higher risk of developing resistant hypertension, making blood pressure difficult to control with standard therapies [3]. Some clinical data suggests a higher risk of cardiovascular events when treated with conventional beta-blockers [4]. On the other hand, a better therapeutic response might be achieved with carvedilol [5]. Beyond cardiovascular health, this genotype has been associated with a lower resting heart rate and increased odds of lower extraversion.
Significantly reduced blood pressure response to metoprolol; Increased risk of resistant hypertension.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs1801253 · ADRB1 Gene · Chr 10 · Hypertension Risk
rs35680304 · MKLN1 Gene · Chr 7 · Blood Pressure
rs1024323 · GRK4 Gene · Chr 4 · Hypertension Risk
A polymorphism in the beta1 adrenergic receptor is associated with resting heart rate.
Beta 1-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms and antihypertensive response to metoprolol.
The functional significance of genetic variation within the beta-adrenoceptor.
A polymorphism of the beta1-adrenergic receptor is associated with low extraversion.
beta-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphisms and beta-blocker treatment outcomes in hypertension.
Carvedilol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in relation to CYP2D6 and ADRB pharmacogenetics.
Content updated August 2026.
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