Microcirculation, the network of arterioles, capillaries, and venules, plays a pivotal role in tissue perfusion, nutrient exchange, and organ function. Dysfunction of the microcirculation is increasingly recognized as a common pathological mechanism underlying a wide spectrum of diseases, including coronary artery disease, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, stroke, cognitive decline, chronic kidney disease, peripheral artery disease, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
While macrovascular disease has been extensively studied, microvascular dysfunction often precedes large-vessel pathology and contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality. Clinical manifestations range from coronary microvascular angina and cerebral small vessel disease to diabetic nephropathy and peripheral microangiopathy. Despite its importance, the determinants of microcirculatory dysfunction-including genetic predisposition, metabolic risk factors, and systemic inflammation-remain incompletely understood at the population level.
The UK Biobank (UKB), with its large-scale genomic data, detailed phenotyping, longitudinal follow-up, and linkage to hospital records, provides a unique opportunity to investigate the genetic and epidemiological basis of microcirculation across multiple organ systems.
