EPO and Hypertension: Having provided genetic and functional evidence that a cis-EPO variant alters EPO gene expression and circulating protein levels, we used this variant as a genetic predictor for long-term therapeutic modulation of EPO levels to show that genetically predicted higher endogenous EPO levels (equivalent to 5.1 IU/L) are not associated with increased cardiovascular risk or elevated values of clinical markers (SBP, DBP, or resting heart rate) predisposing to CVD risk factors (e.g., hypertension).