If you’re dealing with certain symptoms, this can offer clues about what's up.
), it can be worrying to think about what it might mean for you. You might wonder, “Will I develop those same issues or potentially pass them down?” In a lot of cases, those are hard questions to answer.
Some heart problems stem from lifestyle factors , and other times, the cause is unknown. In many instances, your genes can play a major role in your likelihood of developing a, a licensed cardiac genetic counselor and researcher at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells SELF. “DNA acts like an instructional manual for our bodies,” she explains. “Genetic testing looks for spelling errors or variants in these genes that may impact the way the body reads these instructions, which can lead to heart conditions or disease.”happen with your heart—and maybe help you do something differently today that could make an impact tomorrow. One big caveat: Genetic testing isn’t recommended for everyone. Thenotes that it should be reserved for people with a strong suspicion they’ll develop an inherited heart condition, or for those who already have one.There are a lot of reasons for this. Genetic testing is only helpful if there’s a known red flag in your family tree or your personal health, and receiving a concerning result that might not be indicative of a serious problem could cause a lot of unwarranted stress for you and your family.So, should you consider genetic testing? Here are three big signs you might want to consider it for your heart health, and what to expect next if you’re a good candidate for it.Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, so taking steps to protect your cardiovascular health is important for everyone. You should keep an especially close eye on your heart if you have a grandparent, parent, sibling, or child who was diagnosed with heart disease,, a cardiologist with the Heart Center at Mercy in Baltimore, tells SELF. “Families share a gene pool,” he says. “Those genes can be passed from parents to kids, makingimportant in figuring out if a genetic heart condition may even be an issue worth considering for you.” If there’s any trace of heart disease in your family—including coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, and congenital heart defects —genetic testing could give you some answers as to whether you carry specific genes that may raise your risk of certain conditions, Dr. Ince says.An example of a gene that a doc might scan for: amyloidogenic transthyretin amyloidosis. Its presence sometimes leads to a form of heart disease that canbut genetics is one possible element.) “There is a standard genetic blood test or saliva test that is used to see if an individual carries [ATTR],” Dr. Ince says.If a close family member died from a heart attack with no direct cause—especially if they were younger —genetic testing might be a good idea for you. Heart attacks are more common in adults in their late 40s and 50s, so when they happen in younger people, genetic links could be involved. “If a close family member dies suddenly and unexpectedly, particularly in childhood or early adulthood, then genetic testing often will be beneficial,” Dr. Dantzler says. There’s actually a “heart attack gene” that was identified back in 2007 . In 2022, researchers found 95 other genetic variations that can up your risk ofThings can get complicated if a loved one passed from what you suspect was a heart attack without knowing for sure, Parker says. If a blood or tissue sample was taken from the person who died, postmortem testing might be a possibility. But if their passing was possibly related to genetics, knowing if you also have hereditary links to heart issues can help you better understand your risk. So it doesn’t hurt to flag this part of your family history with your doctor when you ask about potential testing, even if you don’t have all the details.While it might seem counterintuitive to do more testing if you already have heart problems, Dr. Dantlzer says that a genetic test can sometimes be beneficial. If your results help to pinpoint what’s behind your symptoms, your cardiologist is more equipped to find the best medication and treatment plan for you, he explains. One example, per Dr. Ince, is the TTR V122i variant, which causes hereditary amyloidosis , which sometimes leads to heart failure and is more common in Black people.“Once [the presence of the gene] is confirmed, the patient qualifies for a specialized drug,” he says. Dr. Dantzler points out that knowing if you have the gene can also alert other family members that they might want to get screened too.You don’t need an actual diagnosed heart condition to be a candidate, Dr. Dantzler says. If you’ve ever fainted suddenly and for no apparent reason; had a seizure ; passed out from exercise, stress, or fear; or have an enlarged heart or weakened heart muscle with no clear cause, genetic testing might help figure out what’s behind your symptoms, perAs Dr. Ince notes: Any of these circumstances warrant a chat with a primary care physician. If you seem like a solid candidate for genetic testing, they’ll set you up with a cardiologist for some, like an electrocardiogram or an echocardiogram . From there, depending on what they see, a cardiologist might recommend genetic testing for more answers. The testing process itself is pretty straightforward. “Most genetic testing is completed by simply having a blood or saliva sample drawn,” Dr. Dantzler says, explaining that the sample is then sent to a lab and scanned for gene mutations. From there, a genetic counselor can help you interpret your results and give you a better idea of the next steps, Parker says. Again, a genetic test result can only give you an inkling of what your future heart health might look like—it won’t tell you how to avoid complications. “The presence of a mutation may not always manifest in a disease or condition,” Dr. Dantzler points out. “It’s vital to have access to both testing and counseling.” You can’t necessarily predict the future with genetic testing, but if some concerning heart-related stuff has gone down in your family , it could provide you with some much-needed answers. So bring the details to a primary care physician or cardiologist. They’ll be able to guide you down the right path—whether or not testing is the right fit for you.JAMA NetworkI Was Diagnosed With Heart Failure at 26. Here’s the First Symptom I Experienced. Korin is a former New Yorker who now lives at the beach. She received a double B.A. in International Relations and Marketing from The College of William & Mary and an M.A. in Interactive Journalism from American University. Korin has been published in...SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.This 2-Ingredient Breakfast Is My New Favorite Way to Get Protein in Early‘XOXO, Cody’ Is Our September Well-Read Book Club PickWhy Does Alcohol Make You Poop Your Brains Out the Next Day?
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