Cardiogenetics
Some heart conditions can be inherited and may increase the risk of arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death. We help identify these conditions through risk assessment, genetic testing, cardiac screening and family evaluation.
Cardiogenetic evaluations
Heart conditions can sometimes run in families. If you or a close relative has been diagnosed with certain heart diseases, experienced a sudden cardiac event, or has a strong family history of heart problems, genetic counseling can help you understand your risk and determine whether genetic testing may be appropriate.
Atlantic Health's cardiac genetic counselor works closely with cardiologists and other specialists to help patients understand inherited heart conditions, make informed decisions about genetic testing and develop personalized screening plans for themselves and their families.
Who should consider cardiac genetic evaluation? Personal history of:
- Cardiomyopathy
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
- Long QT syndrome or inherited arrhythmias
- Unexplained fainting
- Thoracic aortic disease or connective tissue disorders
- Abnormal screening results requiring further evaluation
Family history of:
- Sudden cardiac death
- Inherited heart disease
Cardiac screening for patients and families
Genetic testing is only one part of evaluation. Many inherited cardiac conditions are identified through a combination of family history, genetic information and specialized cardiovascular screening.
- ECG/EKG
- Echocardiography
- Cardiac MRI
- Rhythm monitoring
- Exercise stress testing
- Family cascade screening
Conditions we evaluate
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
Left ventricular noncompaction
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Peripartum cardiomyopathy
Hereditary amyloidosis
Long QT syndrome
Brugada syndrome
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
Short QT syndrome
Familial atrial fibrillation
Progressive conduction disease
Marfan syndrome
Loeys-Dietz syndrome
Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Early aortic aneurysm or dissection
Familial hypercholesterolemia
Early coronary artery disease or heart attack
Family history
Your family history may suggest an inherited heart condition if relatives have experienced:
- Sudden cardiac death
- Cardiac arrest
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Unexplained drowning or single-car accidents
- Heart failure before age 60
- Heart transplant before age 60
- Heart attack or stroke at an early age
- Aortic aneurysm
- Pacemaker or ICD implantation
- Arrhythmias
- Long QT syndrome
- Unexplained fainting
- Enlarged heart
- Cardiomyopathy
- High LDL cholesterol (190 mg/dL or higher)
- Exercise intolerance
- Unexplained seizures with normal neurological evaluation
What to expect
Genetic counseling helps you understand whether a heart condition may be inherited, what that means for your health, whether genetic testing may be helpful and what the results could mean for your family.
Genetic testing is optional. Many patients benefit from meeting with a genetic counselor even if they decide not to pursue testing. Your counselor will help you determine whether testing is appropriate based on your medical history, family history and personal goals.
During your visit, your genetic counselor will:
- Review your personal and family medical history
- Assess whether your condition may be hereditary
- Explain available genetic testing options
- Discuss benefits, limitations and possible results
- Review insurance coverage and potential costs
- Explain privacy protections and genetic discrimination laws
- Help coordinate testing if you choose to proceed
FAQs on genetic counseling for heart conditions
Our team is here to explain what the process involves, what testing options may look like, how insurance coverage works and how results can guide your care. These FAQs walk you through what to expect so you can make confident, informed decisions about your health.
In many cases, you can schedule a genetic counseling appointment without a referral. However, some insurance plans may require one. Our team can help you determine whether a referral is needed and verify your insurance coverage before your visit.
Most initial genetic counseling appointments last 45 to 60 minutes. This allows time to review your personal and family medical history, discuss your risk for inherited heart conditions, answer your questions and determine whether genetic testing may be appropriate.
Your appointment is with a board-certified genetic counselor who specializes in inherited cardiovascular conditions. If additional evaluation or treatment is needed, your genetic counselor works closely with Atlantic Health cardiologists, electrophysiologists and other heart specialists to coordinate your care.
Family members are welcome to attend if you would like their support or if they can help provide information about your family's medical history. In some cases, having a relative present can be helpful when discussing inherited conditions and recommendations for family screening.
Most genetic test results are available within 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of test and the laboratory performing the analysis. Your genetic counselor will explain your results, what they mean for you and whether family members should consider testing or additional screening.
If a child has a personal or family history that suggests an inherited heart condition, genetic counseling may be appropriate. Our team can help determine the best evaluation based on your child's age, medical history and family history, or refer you to the appropriate pediatric specialists when needed.
A negative genetic test does not always rule out an inherited heart condition. Some genetic causes have not yet been identified, and not every inherited condition can be detected with current testing. Your genetic counselor will explain what your results mean based on your personal and family history and recommend any appropriate follow-up care or screening.
Yes. Your medical and genetic information is protected under federal and state privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Your genetic counselor will also discuss laws that protect against genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment, as well as important considerations related to life, disability and long-term care insurance before you decide whether to pursue genetic testing.
We participate with most major insurance plans for genetic counseling visits. If genetic testing is recommended, we'll help identify a laboratory that participates with your insurance whenever possible and explain any expected out-of-pocket costs before testing is ordered.
Depending on the results of a genetic test, we can offer screening recommendations to you and your family members. A genetic test result might help your physicians plan for you. Genetic testing can also give you opportunities to participate in research and clinical trials, and can provide information about cardiac risk to relatives, including children, siblings, or parents.
Our cardiac genetic counselor works closely with cardiologists, electrophysiologists, heart failure specialists, cardiovascular surgeons and imaging experts across Atlantic Health to ensure your care is coordinated.