Certain heart conditions are genetic or inherited, affecting more than one person in a single family. The Johns Hopkins Center for Inherited Heart Diseases provides specialized screening and consultation for individuals with several forms of genetic heart disease. Following the pattern of a cardiac problem in your family can help your health care providers predict the likelihood for you to have the same condition. As genetic testing becomes increasingly available for these conditions, the Johns Hopkins Center for Inherited Heart Diseases can provide you with appropriate counseling on the risks and benefits of these tests.

Prior to your appointment in the Center for Inherited Heart Diseases, you will be asked to provide our team with details of your family history of cardiac problems. As part of your visit, you may receive genetic counseling with a certified Genetic Counselor. Additional testing, including echocardiograms, electrocardiograms, and cardiac MRI, may be necessary to fully evaluate your condition.

Some conditions which could be inherited include:
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD)
Atrial fibrillation
Cardiomyopathy
Coronary artery disease
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Long QT
Marfans disease
Stress cardiomyopathy
Valve diseases/murmurs