Knowing your family history can alert a doctor to potential problems like heart disease, for instance. But getting that information sometimes requires an extra step: genetic testing. In this week鈥檚 Vital Signs, Sam Baker talks with Sheryl Walker, a genetic counselor with Baylor Health Care鈥檚 Inherited Cardiovascular Disease Clinic.
says heart issues and symptoms are very common in families and most do not have an inherited cardiac disorder 鈥� much of what is seen in the general population is acquired (environment, lifestyle, medication, etc) and not genetic (inherited).
Here are some 鈥榬ed flags鈥� for patients and their cardiologists to be aware of when interpreting a family history:
- Sudden cardiac death (especially in 20s, 30s, 40s) or sudden cardiac arrest (or sudden unexplained death at a young age)
- Earlier age of onset than expected for a disease
- Disease occurring in the absence of known risk factors
- Ethnic predisposition to certain genetic disorders (Ex: Dilated cardiomyopathy is more common in African American individuals)
- Family history of aortic root dilation/dissection/aneurysm (particularly with hyper-extensibility/hypermobile joints, soft & stretchy skin)
- Personal and/or family history of abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, unexplained seizures or fainting (syncope)
- Family history with multiple affected family members
For more information on genetic testing:
