Not all causes are from your genes

While most cases of heart disease are due to lifestyle choices, some are due to your family genetics. According to the American Heart Association, about one third of Americans will experience heart disease during their lifetime.

Common heart conditions can be passed down to you

• Cardiomyopathy – A flaw that makes it harder for the heart muscle pump blood to the rest of your body.
• Arrhythmia – A flaw affecting the rhythm of the heart causing it to beat too fast, too slow or abnormally.
• Arteriopathy – Flaws related to the structure of your arteries in many parts of the body, including the heart.

Genetic testing can help you take proactive care of your heart

A “positive test result” does not mean you have a heart condition. It means the laboratory found a specific hereditary gene to provide:

• Diagnosis confirmation of a heart condition gene mutation.
• Indication of increased risk of developing a certain heart condition(s) in the future.
• Inherent risk to other family members to guide their healthcare decisions.
• Insight to improve lifestyle behaviors like quitting smoking, implementing a healthier diet or routine exercise.
• Suggest a need for further testing.