We create an unbiased genetic risk score (GRS) (Supplementary Table 22) to evaluate, in an independent cohort (Airwave, see Online Methods), the impact of the combination of all loci reported here on BP levels and risk of hypertension. When compared with the lowest quintile of the distribution of the GRS, individuals >50 years in the highest quintile have sex-adjusted mean SBP higher by 9.3 mm Hg (95% CI 6.9 to 11.7 mm Hg, P =1.0 x 10-13) and an over two-fold higher risk of hypertension (OR 2.32 95% CI 1.76 to 3.06; P=2.8 x 10-9) compared with individuals in the lowest quintile (Fig. 3; Supplementary Table 23). Similar results were obtained from GRS associations with BP and hypertension within UK Biobank (Supplementary Table 24). In UK Biobank – based on self-reported health data, record linkage to Hospital Episode Statistics and mortality follow-up data (Supplementary Table 25) – we show that the GRS is associated with increased risk of stroke, coronary heart disease and all cardiovascular outcomes; comparing the upper and lower fifths of the GRS distribution, sex-adjusted odds ratios are
