Many cardiac disorders can be inherited, including arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and cardiomyopathies (heart muscle diseases).
The Hartford Healthcare Inherited Cardiovascular Disease Program is a multidisciplinary program for the care and management of these specialized conditions. Our team includes specialists in electrophysiology, heart Failure, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, imaging, and genetics.
Which Cardiac Diseases Do We Treat?
Arrhythmias/Abnormal Heart Rhythm Disorders
- Brugada syndrome
- Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
- Long QT syndrome
- Short QT syndrome
Cardiomyopathies/Heart Muscle Disease
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy/Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
- Left Ventricular Non-Compaction
- Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
- Cardiac Sarcoidosis
- Transthyretin (TTR) Amyloidosis
Neuromuscular Disease-Related Cardiomyopathy
- Duchene and Becker Muscular Dystrophy
- Friedreich’s Ataxia
- Myotonic Dystrophy
Connective Tissue Diseases Involving the Aorta and the Vasculature
- Familial thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection
- Loeys-Dietz Syndrome
- Marfan Syndrome
- Vascular Ehlers Danlos syndrome
- Other Ehlers Danlos syndrome types
- Spontaneous coronary artery dissection
Why Consider Genetic Testing
Genetic testing can:
- Confirm a diagnosis
- Help guide treatment (medications, procedures)
- Identify family members who may also be at risk
Before genetic testing, you’ll meet with a board-certified genetic counselor. During this visit, we’ll review your personal and family health history and explain what genetic testing is, how it works, and what the results can tell us. We’ll also talk about how this information can help you and your family make informed decisions about your health.
Not everyone who meets with a genetic counselor will have genetic testing—sometimes the best next step is just learning more about your risk.
What We Look for in Personal and Family History:
- Unexplained cardiac arrest or sudden death
- Unexplained fainting, especially:
- During exercise
- During emotional stress
- Unexplained seizures, or seizures with a normal neurological evaluation
- Heart structure or function issues, such as:
- Enlarged heart (“big heart”)
- Weak heart
- Heart devices implanted before age 50, such as:
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)
- Pacemaker
- Heart failure before age 60
- Heart transplant before age 60
- Early heart attack or stroke:
- Men younger than 55
- Women younger than 65
- Aortic aneurysm or dissection before age 50
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Unexplained accidents, such as:
- Drowning in a strong swimmer
- Single-car accident without clear cause
Why Would Someone Have Genetic Testing For Cardiovascular Condition?
Part of your initial visit to the Inherited Cardiovascular Disease Program may include genetic testing.
Genetic testing has become an important part of management and diagnosis for cardiovascular conditions.
If a disease-causing mutation is identified, it may lead to tailored interventions, like medicines or screening and identify family members at risk of having the condition.
There are options for both management and/or genetic testing for these conditions. You and your providers can decide which combination is the best choice for you.
What Do We Offer For Management of These Conditions?
Depending on your condition, our providers may recommend things such as
- Medications including myosin inhibitors
- Implantable devices like pacemakers or defibrillators
- Surgery such as valve repair or aortic repair
- Heart rhythm procedures like ablations
- Regular screening with echocardiograms, MRIs, or heart monitors
- Lifestyle support for diet and exercise
- Assistance for family members
- Access to clinical trials
How to Make an Appointment
Appointments can be made by calling 860.972.2059.