What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Hypertension Risk: 5/10 evidence, 63 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Typical Blood Pressure and Medication Response
Baseline blood pressure and cardiovascular risk remain typical with this genetic profile. It is also linked to a highly favorable response to common blood pressure medications like losartan and candesartan.
What this genotype means: Typical baseline blood pressure; Favorable response to ARB medications; Typical kidney health.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/C
Slightly Elevated Hypertension Risk
A mild increase in the risk of developing high blood pressure is associated with one copy of the C allele. It may also slightly alter how the body responds to certain cardiovascular medications.
What this genotype means: Slightly increased risk of high blood pressure; Potential for pregnancy-induced hypertension; Altered response to some heart medications.
Sample genotype (not yours): C/C
Elevated Hypertension Risk
A more pronounced risk of high blood pressure and altered response to cardiovascular therapies are linked to two copies of the C allele. It may also influence heart muscle thickness and kidney health over time.
What this genotype means: Increased risk of essential hypertension; Higher risk of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure; Variable response to blood pressure medications.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: AGTR1 encodes the angiotensin II receptor type 1, a key protein in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance [1]. When angiotensin II binds to this receptor, it triggers blood vessel constriction and sodium retention, raising blood pressure [1]. Overactivity of this pathway is a major driver of cardiovascular disease and hypertension [1]. The receptor is also expressed in the kidneys and heart, where it influences tissue remodeling and fluid filtration [2].
Variant Impact: A single nucleotide change located in the 3 prime untranslated region of the AGTR1 gene defines rs5186 [3]. This specific region does not code for amino acids but contains a binding site for microRNA-155, which normally helps downregulate receptor expression [3]. The C allele disrupts this microRNA binding site, preventing the microRNA from silencing the gene [3]. As a result, the C allele can lead to increased expression of the AGTR1 receptor, resulting in heightened sensitivity to angiotensin II and a tendency toward higher blood pressure [3].
Key Insight: This variant does not change the protein itself, but instead blocks a microRNA from turning down the gene's activity, leading to an overabundance of blood pressure receptors.
Location: AGTR1. Chromosome 3 · 3q24 · 148.7 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 64.2%; European 49.5%; African 87.9%; East Asian 88.9%; South Asian 84.6%; Americas 55.0%; Ashkenazi 45.9%; Finnish 67.4%; Middle Eastern 63.3%; Amish 27.7%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Global 30.4%; European 41.7%; African 11.7%; East Asian 10.7%; South Asian 14.8%; Americas 38.3%; Ashkenazi 43.7%; Finnish 29.4%; Middle Eastern 32.5%; Amish 49.9%.
Estimated AC genotype frequency.
Global 5.4%; European 8.8%; African 0.4%; East Asian 0.3%; South Asian 0.6%; Americas 6.7%; Ashkenazi 10.4%; Finnish 3.2%; Middle Eastern 4.2%; Amish 22.4%.
Estimated CC genotype frequency.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Hypertension
Hypertension. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 8021009. Typical Risk.
Heart Disease
Heart Muscle Thickness. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 11910301. Typical.
Endocrine & Reproductive
Pregnancy & Birth Complications
Pregnancy Hypertension. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 15042429. Typical Risk.
Pharmacogenomics
Cardiovascular Drug Response
Heart Drug Response. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 10594793. Favorable Response.
Organ Systems
Kidney Function & Disease
Kidney Health. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 23081748. Typical.
Showing effects for A/C genotype
Hypertension. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 8021009. ~1.4x Increased Risk.
Pregnancy Hypertension. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 15042429. Increased Risk.
Showing effects for C/C genotype
Hypertension. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 8021009. ~7.3x Increased Risk.
Heart Muscle Thickness. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 11910301. Increased Risk.
Heart Drug Response. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 10594793. Variable Response.
Kidney Health. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 23081748. Increased Risk.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
An intact microRNA-155 binding site in the AGTR1 gene is maintained when two A alleles are present [1]. This allows normal regulation of the angiotensin II receptor, keeping receptor levels in a healthy, balanced range [1]. Studies show that individuals with this genotype have a typical baseline risk for essential hypertension and pregnancy-induced high blood pressure [2]. Furthermore, clinical trials have demonstrated that people with the AA genotype respond very well to angiotensin receptor blockers like losartan and candesartan, showing significant reductions in blood pressure and favorable cardiovascular outcomes [3]. There is also a lower risk of developing complications like diabetic nephropathy compared to C allele carriers [4].
Typical baseline blood pressure; Favorable response to ARB medications; Typical kidney health.
Sample genotype: AC (Heterozygous)
A single copy of the C allele partially disrupts the microRNA-155 binding site, which can lead to a slight increase in the production of angiotensin II receptors [1]. This mild upregulation is associated with an estimated 1.4-fold increase in the risk of developing essential hypertension [2]. Pregnant women with this genotype may also have an increased susceptibility to pregnancy-induced high blood pressure [3]. In terms of medication, carriers of the AC genotype generally show a good response to angiotensin receptor blockers like losartan, but some studies suggest a slightly increased risk of cardiovascular events when taking ACE inhibitors [4]. Additionally, there is a modest association with altered kidney function decline and diabetic nephropathy risk [5].
Slightly increased risk of high blood pressure; Potential for pregnancy-induced hypertension; Altered response to some heart medications.
Sample genotype: CC (Homozygous)
Two copies of the C allele fully disrupt the microRNA-155 regulatory site, leading to unchecked expression of the AGTR1 receptor [1]. This receptor overabundance makes blood vessels highly sensitive to angiotensin II, which can significantly raise blood pressure [1]. Some clinical studies have associated this genotype with a higher risk of essential hypertension, particularly in certain populations [2]. There is also an increased likelihood of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, which is a thickening of the heart's main pumping chamber [3]. Regarding pharmacogenomics, individuals with the CC genotype may experience a poorer or more variable response to certain blood pressure medications, including losartan, and an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events on ACE inhibitors [4].
Increased risk of essential hypertension; Higher risk of pregnancy-induced high blood pressure; Variable response to blood pressure medications.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs5182 · AGTR1 Gene · Chr 3 · Cardiovascular Health
rs10857147 · FGF5 Gene · Chr 4 · Blood Pressure
rs11191580 · NT5C2 Gene · Chr 10 · Blood Pressure and Brain
Angiotensin II type 1 receptor polymorphisms and susceptibility to hypertension: a HuGE review.
Angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphism predicts response to losartan and angiotensin II.
Association of angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphism with essential hypertension.
Angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphisms in human essential hypertension.
Content updated August 2026.
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