Take our online questionnaire to find out if genetic counseling is appropriate for you.

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Heart Disease

Heart disease is a term used to describe a variety of different problems with the heart (i.e. arrhythmias, blockage of blood vessels, heart attacks and congenital heart defects). Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men and women. In addition to your lifestyle, your family history also plays a significant role in your risk to develop various forms of heart disease.

Symptoms

• Chest pain
• Changes in heartbeat (fluttering, rapid, irregular)
• Numbness, pain or weakness in arms or legs
• Fainting or dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in legs, ankles or feet

Causes/Risk Factors

• Age (higher risk as you get older for some kinds of heart disease)
• Male gender (for some kinds of heart disease)
• Family history of heart disease
• Smoking
• Poor diet/lack of exercise
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Stress
• Obesity

Genetic Test

The following genetic tests may be appropriate based on your personal and/or family history:

• Hypercholesterolemia
  
  • APOB, LDLR, LDLRAP1, and PCSK9
• Brugada syndrome
  
  • SCN5A
• Familial atrial fibrillation
  
  • KCNE2, KCNJ2, and KCNQ1
• Long QT syndrome
  
  • KCNH2,KCNJ2, KCNE1, KCNE2, SCN5A and KCNQ1
• Tangier disease
  
  • ABCA1
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
  
  • PRKAG2
• Genetic variants for heart disease

Schedule an Appointment

To speak with a board-certified genetic counselor about your risks for this disease:

• Schedule genetic counseling appointment online
• Or call 1-800-975-4819
• Send email

Learn More

National Institutes of Health Genetics Home Reference(NIH/GHR)

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)