HT: hypertension; DM: diabetes mellitus; CAD: coronary artery disease; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; PCR: polymerase chain reaction; CT: computerized tomography; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; Hgb: hemoglobin; WBC: white blood cell; CRP: C-reactive protein; CK-MB: creatine kinase-myocardial band; BNP: brain natriuretic peptide. The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is hematocrit.