Learn more about Inherited Cardiac Conditions
Following her cardiac arrest, Lisa underwent genetic testing. The result provided information that guided Lisa’s own healthcare, but it also helped other members of her family to understand their chances of developing heart problems. Family members who were at increased risk were offered cardiac screening and risk-reducing interventions. Read Lisa’s story here.
Inherited Cardiac Conditions (ICC) services have traditionally been concentrated within tertiary care. The shift towards mainstreaming of genetic testing means that increasingly, many patients with inherited cardiac conditions will be managed in secondary care settings. The resources on this page will help you develop your understanding of inherited cardiac conditions, enabling you to harness the potential of genomic medicine to transform your patients’ care.
Get started with your Genomics Journey today!
Are you relatively new to genomics? Check out this online module, which you work through at your own pace. It’s packed with interesting videos, helpful diagrams and interactive activities and quizzes to help you understand:
- Genes & chromosomes
- How different cardiac conditions are inherited
- Drawing family trees
- Why some conditions appear to skip a generation
- How genomic tests work
- How to interpret a genetic report
Learn more about inherited arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies
The second module of the series introduces a range of inherited arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies. Though patient stories, interactive activities and case studies, you will cover:
- Introduction to inherited arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies
- Overview of Long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome & Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT)
- Overview of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy & Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- Investigation and management of inherited arrhythmias
- Investigation and management of cardiomyopathies
Understand connective tissue disorders
The third module of the series introduces inherited connective tissue disorders. As you work through the summaries, videos and patient stories, you will cover:
- Introduction to connective tissue disorders
- Overview of Marfan Syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome & Non-syndromic connective tissue disorders
- Investigation and management of connective tissue disorders
- Clinical utility of genetic testing
- Eligibility for genetic testing
- Potential implications of genetic testing for patients and families
- Patient case studies
Caring for patients with Inherited Cardiac Conditions
The final module in the series explores the patient experience of living with inherited cardiac conditions. Using helpful summaries, patient case studies and interactive activities, the unit will help you to understand:
- How lifestyle changes can help to manage an inherited cardiac condition
- Psychosocial impact of inherited cardiac conditions
- Holistic multidisciplinary care
Ready to arrange a genomic test for your patient?
We can support you with each stage of the process. Visit our cardiovascular genetic testing webpage for step-by-step instructions and links to help you refer your patient for genomic testing.
Read more patient stories!
Many of our patients have kindly shared their experiences of undergoing genetic testing for inherited cardiac conditions. Click the images to lean more.
We all want answers!
Katie describes her family’s genetic testing journey following her diagnosis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Genetic testing helped explain a lifetime of strange things happening to me!
Sean describes his experiences of receiving a genetic diagnosis of Marfan syndrome.
My life changed when two of my sisters died
Lisa underwent genetic testing after two of her sisters sadly died of aortic dissections.
Browse our library of patient stories
We have many more patient stories on our website, covering a wide range of genetic conditions. Click the button to read more!
Join our Cardiovascular Community of Practice today!
Our Cardiac Community of Practice brings together cardiac teams across the South East, building a supportive network and enabling teams to develop their knowledge of genomics and skills at ordering genomic tests.
We’ll invite you to our regular online meetings, helping you to…
- Connect with a network of cardiac and genomic specialists
- Improve your understanding of genomics
- Gain practical support to arrange genomic tests for your patients
- Understand how to interpret genomic test reports
- Participate in case-based discussions
- Ask questions and seek advice
Links to further resources on genomic testing and cardiology….
Want to learn more? We have selected a range of resources that you might find helpful. Choose the ones that seem most relevant to you.
A selection of educational resources to support teams working in Cardiology to embrace Genomic Medicine. Choose between ‘In the Clinic’ resources, which describe typical clinical scenarios, and the ‘Knowledge Hub’, which summarises cardiac conditions involving genomics
Learn more about our work on the NHS Coronial Sudden Unexpected Death (NHS C-SUD) pathway, also known as the Sudden Cardiac Death project.
This webinar series was developed to provide core training in inherited cardiac conditions (ICC).
Target audience: doctors in training, specialist nurses, genetic counsellors, cardiac physiologists, non-ICC specialist cardiologists and primary care physicians.
View recordings from this Core Learning in Inherited Cardiac Conditions Study Day 2023. After viewing the recordings, you can answer the online quiz to generate a session certificate.
These resources outline all of the genomic competencies clinicians need to arrange genomic testing for inherited cardiovascular conditions. All stages of the genomic testing pathway are covered, from determining eligibility for testing to feeding back results. The Clinical Pathway Initiative (CPI) pathways can be used to support service delivery planning, identify workforce training needs, and assess and develop knowledge and skills