Cardiovascular Genomics Can Transform Lives By Barry Sparks
heart muscle to become thin and weak. It can lead to heart failure.
Actively watching your diet and ensuring • Familial Hypercholesterolemia: A regular exercise are exceptional ways to lessen disease that causes too much cholesterol the risk of heart disease. However, many to accumulate in your body, especially people aren’t aware that heart disease is also low-density lipoproteins (LDL), the bad directly connected to genetic factors that cholesterol. This narrows the arteries, further heighten your risk. either partially or completely blocking In fact, about 40% of heart disease is blood flow, which can cause a stroke or caused by genetic factors, according to heart attack. Circulation Research. WellSpan wants patients to know their • Marfan Syndrome: A disease that affects risks so they can take steps to lead healthier the body’s connective tissue, which lives. plays a role in the body’s growth and WellSpan offers patients a program that development. includes comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation, genetic counseling, and testing, Dr. C. Anwar Chahal, WellSpan, • Long QT Syndrome: A disease that as well as screening of family members. cardiology, electrophysiologist. causes fast and chaotic heartbeats. Based on the results, a WellSpan team of experts can develop a personalized treatment WellSpan takes a team approach to cardiovascular genomics. plan for patients that considers their genetic risk for heart “We have a wonderful team that includes electrophysiology, disease. “Cardiovascular genomics can dramatically change outcomes structural imaging, interventional cardiology, cardiac surgery, a lipid team, rehab, genetic counselors, and nurses,” says Chahal. and transform the lives of patients and their family members,” “We are blessed to have a full complement of experts and says Dr. C. Anwar Chahal, WellSpan electrophysiologist. “The subspecialists. We also have a wide range of testing options, such future is bright and holds promise.” as MRI and CT.” In 2020, the American Heart Association specifically The team identifies signs and symptoms of inherited heart recommended genetic testing for patients diagnosed with disease, arranges for appropriate cardiac and genetic testing, all forms of cardiomyopathy, arrhythmic disorders, vascular determines diagnoses, and provides individual treatment plans. disorders, and lipid disorders, so their family members can be After determining the cardiovascular disease, the team focuses armed with the knowledge if they are at risk. on the effects on the patient and their family members. The goal “Most people with inherited heart conditions don’t is to prevent hospitalizations, according to Chahal. experience symptoms and don’t know they’re at risk,” says WellSpan is taking steps to increase the use of cardiovascular Chahal, the lead content developer for the American Heart genomics, developing a clinical fellowship in the field at Association’s certificate in cardiovascular genomics. “If left WellSpan York Hospital. undetected and untreated, inherited heart conditions can lead Medical experts believe technological advances, along with to problems and coronary heart disease, such as heart attacks, consumer demand, will help increase the use of cardiovascular sudden cardiac arrest, or heart failure.” genomics. Some common heart diseases that can be inherited include: Researchers have gained more information on how genetics contributes to cardiovascular disease, and that has led to some • Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A disease that exciting developments. thickens part or all of the heart muscle. In extreme cases, it “We are using this information to study the effects of known can cause sudden death. drugs on selected groups of patients and to develop new drugs,” • Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy: A disease that causes the says Chahal. “These new drugs are game changers.” 4
Heart Health 2023
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