Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, and while mainly associated with behavioral risk factors, they can also be linked to genetic disorders. The cGMP-dependent protein kinase type I (PKG I) plays a pivotal role in the homeostasis of the vasculature by mediating NO/cGMP-dependent relaxation of vascular smooth muscle cells. A recently described genetic risk factor associated with PKG I results in heritable thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD). Although PKG isoforms Iα and Iβ ...