Cardiac Genetics

Cardiac genetics is the study of how inherited changes in genes can cause disease of the heart and block blood vessels.

The Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine works alongside cardiac services in the region to provide specialist genetic heart clinics. These include dedicated cardiac genetic clinics in Genomic Medicine at St Mary’s Hospital as well as to support the genetic arrhythmia clinic and aortopathy clinics at the Manchester Heart Centre, Manchester Royal Infirmary. The aim of our clinics is to provide information and genetic counselling to allow patients to understand risk to themselves and for family members. Where it is appropriate, our team also provides genetic testing for families and patients with inherited cardiac conditions.

We see individuals and families affected by, or with a family history of, inherited heart conditions or sudden cardiac death. In addition, patients with heart complications which form part of a multi-system genetic condition or syndrome are also seen by the clinical geneticists. Inherited heart conditions may affect both children and adults. A wide range of conditions are covered by the team, including

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Familial dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
  • Long QT syndrome
  • Brugada syndrome
  • Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
  • Sudden cardiac death
  • Familial aortic aneurysm and dissection
  • Familial congenital heart disease.