Can Heart Disease Be Genetic?
Many people understand that heart disease can often be influenced by lifestyle choices. Smoking, a lack of physical activity, or a diet that leads to raised cholesterol levels can all contribute to the narrowing of arteries or problems with heart valves.
Hereditary heart disease refers to cardiovascular conditions that are inherited through family lines. These conditions can affect individuals at any stage of life and, if not identified and treated, may result in serious or life-threatening complications.
Inherited Heart Muscle Diseases
Here at EchoMed, we are experts at screening people for the presence of inherited or hereditary heart muscle diseases, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In many cases, patients with HCM are born with an abnormal version of a gene, such as the MYH7 gene, which, as they reach adulthood, causes the heart muscle to become abnormally thick.
This video shows ultrasound images from a healthy heart versus a heart with HCM.
In this case, the diagnosis was made early enough for the patient to be referred to a specialist for further management, which included medications to improve symptoms and, ultimately, the implantation of a defibrillator device to protect against cardiac arrest.
Inherited Heart Muscle Conditions
At EchoMed, we specialise in screening patients for genetic heart disease, including conditions that affect the heart muscle, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This condition often results from an inherited abnormality in a gene, for example, the MYH7 gene. As a person reaches adulthood, this gene variant may cause the heart muscle to thicken in an unusual way.
In cases of HCM, the central part of the heart muscle, known as the septum, can become so thick that it restricts blood flow out of the heart with each contraction. This is known as outflow tract obstruction and can result in a number of concerning symptoms, such as:
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
- Fainting
HCM is also associated with serious rhythm disturbances in the heart. To diagnose this or other forms of cardiomyopathy, the first step is often a cardiac ultrasound, also known as an echocardiogram. This non-invasive, painless test uses ultrasound waves to create real-time images of the heart’s chambers, valves, and major blood vessels. It allows our specialists to assess the heart’s function and structure in detail.
Other Genetic Causes of Heart Disease
While HCM is one of the more well-known types of genetic heart disease, there are several other inherited conditions that can affect the heart. These include:
Inherited high cholesterol: Some individuals have a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia. This causes significantly raised levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, regardless of diet or lifestyle. Without treatment, this can speed up the development of plaques in the coronary arteries and on the heart valves. Over time, this may increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Other inherited cardiomyopathies: Conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy or arrhythmogenic ventricular cardiomyopathy may also be inherited. These conditions lead to changes in the size, strength, or electrical function of the heart muscle and may progress without noticeable symptoms at first.
Aortopathy: This refers to inherited problems with the aorta, the main blood vessel leaving the heart. In conditions such as Marfan syndrome, the aorta may gradually widen and weaken. If left untreated, this may result in an aneurysm that requires surgical intervention.
Inherited arrhythmias: Certain heart rhythm disorders have a genetic origin. For example, Brugada syndrome and Long QT syndrome are both linked to specific inherited changes in the genes that control the heart’s electrical signals. These conditions may run in families and can increase the risk of fainting or sudden cardiac arrest.
There are many options available for diagnosing and managing these conditions. Would you like more information about echocardiograms, hereditary heart disease, or our wider range of services? Contact our team for further details. Our cardiac specialists are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Echocardiograms at EchoMed
Although many inherited heart conditions are relatively uncommon, cardiac ultrasound screening remains a safe, straightforward, and effective way to detect problems early. Echocardiography can identify both structural and functional abnormalities, whether the cause is genetic or acquired.
Our Cardiologist Doctors recommend screening for anyone with a known family history of heart disease, or for those who are concerned about symptoms that could suggest a hereditary issue. You do not need to wait for symptoms to appear before seeking advice. If you would like to ask a question or share a concern, please email us directly at admin@echomed.co.uk.
We understand that facing a possible diagnosis of heart disease can be stressful, especially when there is a family history of cardiovascular issues. You may feel uncertain about what to expect from your echocardiogram procedure, or anxious about what the results might mean. At EchoMed, you will be cared for by experienced and qualified Cardiologist Doctors who are committed to supporting you throughout the process. Our team is focused on your wellbeing and is always happy to explain your results in detail.
Book your appointment online today at a date and time that suits you.
