Cardiac genetics is the assessment of inherited heart conditions and the risk of heart conditions running in families. It helps individuals and families understand whether a heart condition may have a genetic cause, and what this could mean for relatives. At Clarity Genetics, cardiac genetic assessment is provided alongside your cardiology team, in person in Sydney or by telehealth across Australia.
Some heart conditions can be inherited, which means they can affect more than one person in a family. Where there is a family history of certain heart conditions, or of sudden unexplained death at a young age, a cardiac genetics assessment can help clarify the level of risk and whether genetic testing may be useful. This information can guide care for the whole family.
Cardiac genetics is most relevant where a heart condition, or a pattern of heart conditions, suggests an inherited cause. Patients are usually referred by a cardiologist or GP, often as part of an investigation into a personal or family history.
An assessment may be appropriate in situations such as:
Your appointment focuses on understanding your personal and family heart health history in detail, including, where possible, drawing a family tree. Your clinician will discuss what this history may mean, and whether genetic testing is likely to add useful information for you and your relatives.
Where genetic testing is appropriate, what it involves and what it can tell you are explained clearly before any decision is made. Cardiac genetic assessment is carried out in coordination with your cardiologist, so that genetic information and cardiac care work together. Assessment follows recognised clinical guidelines.
To make the most of your appointment, it helps to gather information about heart conditions in your family beforehand, including which relatives were affected and at what age. Any previous cardiac test results are also useful. If you are unsure what to bring, the practice team can guide you when you book.
A genetic cause may be considered for a range of inherited heart conditions. These include conditions affecting the heart muscle, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, conditions affecting the heart’s rhythm, such as Long QT and Brugada syndrome, and inherited conditions affecting cholesterol and cardiovascular risk, such as familial hypercholesterolemia.
Your clinician will discuss which conditions are relevant to your personal and family history, whether genetic testing for a known familial condition may be useful, and how any results would guide care for you and your relatives. Where a genetic change has already been identified in the family, testing for that specific change can usually be arranged.
Clarity Genetics accepts referrals from cardiologists, general practitioners and other clinicians for the assessment of inherited cardiac conditions. Assessment covers family history evaluation, consideration of genetic testing for known familial conditions, and predictive testing for relatives where a genetic change has been identified.
Cardiac genetic assessment is coordinated with the patient’s cardiology team, and a consultant report is provided following each consultation. Referral templates and the practice referral form are available on request.
Cardiac genetics consultations are available in person in Sydney and by telehealth across Australia. A valid referral is required to access Medicare rebates, and eligibility depends on the clinical circumstances.
Telehealth allows convenient access to specialist cardiac genetic counselling wherever you are located, and works well alongside care from your local cardiology team. Where an in-person appointment is clinically appropriate, this can be arranged.
