Cardiovascular Genetic and Genomic Medicine Program
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. Genetic testing can help you find out if you're at risk.
Cardiovascular Genetic and Genomic Medicine Program
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. Risk identification and management are a crucial part of living a heart-healthy lifestyle. The Cardiovascular Genetic and Genomic Medicine program offers specialized resources for patients diagnosed at a young age or with a strong family history of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular Genetic and Genomic Medicine Clinic
An appointment with the Ohio State Cardiovascular Genetic and Genomic Medicine Clinic begins with a consultation with a genetic counselor who takes an extensive family history and performs a genetic risk assessment. You then meet with a cardiologist who completes a targeted cardiovascular medical history and physical exam. Lab testing for risk factors and cardiovascular imaging studies may also be ordered. Based on this information, the clinical team then creates a personalized prevention or treatment plan for cardiovascular health.
The clinic sees various types of patients, including those with:- Cardiomyopathies
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
- Idiopathic or familial dilated cardiomyopathy
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- Left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy
- Hereditary conditions affecting the aorta and other blood vessels
- Early-onset aneurysm or arterial dissection (less than 50 years of age)
- Familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection
- Marfan syndrome
- Loeys-Dietz syndrome
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Other aortopathy
- Fabry disease
- Familial congenital heart disease
- Family history of sudden cardiac (or unexplained) death (less than 50 years of age)
- Familial hypercholesterolemia
Inherited Arrhythmia Clinic
Patients are treated by a multidisciplinary team of experts including electrophysiologists and electrophysiology nurses, a medical geneticist, a certified genetic counselor and a pharmacist. Patients with a known or suspected diagnosis or family history of the following conditions may be referred:- Brugada syndrome
- Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
- Familial atrial fibrillation
- Familial conduction system disease
- Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation
- Long QT syndrome
- Short QT syndrome
Before your appointment
If you are being seen in our Cardiovascular Genetic and Genomic Medicine Clinic, please complete our family history questionnaire before your appointment. If you are unable to complete family history questionnaire online, please complete and return the following form:
Genetics Clinic Family History Form (PDF)
Submit completed family history forms to:
Email: genetics.clinic@osumc.edu
Fax: 614-293-2314
Mail: Genetics
2012 Kenny Rd., Room 261
Columbus, OH 43221
For assistance with appointment forms, please call Monday through Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm EST.
Please bring your insurance card/information and photo identification with you to your appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Certain types of heart disease can be caused by changes in your genetic material. If you have a heart condition, genetic testing can help determine the underlying cause, as well as any risk that children, siblings and other relatives may have in developing the condition. For example, the likelihood of a child being born with a heart defect is greater if either parent has this defect. If you have concern about a family history of heart disease, genetic testing can help clarify the diagnosis and identify which family members may be at risk.
Genetic testing usually begins with meeting with a genetic counselor or a physician who specializes in medical genetics. Your genetic counseling session will include the following:
- Review and documentation of medical and family history
- Directed physical examination
- Explanation of basic genetic and medical concepts
- Discussion of relevant hereditary syndromes and their associated risks
- Individualized risk assessment
- Personal screening recommendations
- Referrals to other medical specialists as needed, including high-risk screening programs
- Discussion of the risks, benefits and limitations of genetic testing
- Blood work for genetic testing when indicated
Bring as much medical and family history information as possible – the more information the counselor has, the more thorough the assessment. If you are concerned about your unborn child’s risk of congenital heart disease, special testing such as a fetal echocardiogram may be performed during pregnancy. You will also get a physical and blood may be drawn for genetic testing.
The genetic counselor is there to address your questions and concerns and both the counselor and physician will discuss the results of your test(s). A screening, prevention or treatment plan will be determined and can be shared with your physicians at your request. This also may include a prenatal care plan for you and your baby when you become pregnant.