Some heart conditions are influenced by inherited genetic changes. Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s Center for Cardiovascular Genetic Medicine helps patients and families understand whether genetics may play a role in their heart health – and how that information can guide prevention, monitoring and treatment.
Using advanced testing and expert evaluation, we work to identify the underlying causes of heart rhythm disorders, cardiomyopathies and other inherited heart conditions — helping patients and families make informed decisions about their care.
Our approach includes precision medicine, which draws genetic information and other personal health factors to guide treatment strategies tailored to each person rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all approach.
Why Genetic Evaluation Matters
Many heart conditions can run in families. In some cases, a heart rhythm disorder or cardiomyopathy may be the first sign of an inherited condition.
A genetic evaluation can help:
- Identify inherited causes of heart disease
- Uncover risk for future heart problems
- Guide personalized treatment plans
- Determine if family members may also be at risk
- Provide earlier screening and prevention strategies
Conditions We Evaluate
- Arrhythmias associated with muscular dystrophy:
- And other inherited arrhythmias
- Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia
- Cardiac conduction disease
- Cardiomyopathies:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
- Genetic and family‑based heart disease:
- Early‑onset coronary artery disease
- Familial hyperlipidemia
- Aortopathies (inherited aortic disorders)
- Connective tissue disorders affecting the heart
- Sudden unexplained cardiac death in a family member
- Known genetic variants associated with heart disease
- Heart rhythm disorders:
- Long QT syndrome and short QT syndrome
- Brugada syndrome
- Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
- Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation
- Early-onset atrial fibrillation
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy:
- Left ventricular non-compaction
- Sick sinus syndrome
Our Approach to Care
Initial Consultation
Patients meet with a cardiovascular genetics specialist to review personal medical history, family history of heart disease, prior cardiac testing and possible inherited risk factors.
Genetic counseling is also provided to explain the benefits, limitations and implications of genetic testing.
Genetic Testing
If appropriate, genetic testing may be ordered. Testing may include targeted gene panels or other genomic testing methods designed to identify inherited cardiovascular conditions.
Genetic testing can help confirm a diagnosis, identify patients at higher risk for complications, guide treatment decisions, and inform screening recommendations for family members.
Advanced Cardiac Evaluation
Many patients also receive additional cardiac testing to better understand their heart structure and rhythm, which may include:
- Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart)
- Cardiac MRI
- Ambulatory heart rhythm monitoring
- Exercise stress testing
- Electrophysiology testing
Personalized Care Plan
After testing is complete, a long‑term care strategy may include:
- Medical therapy
- Lifestyle and risk‑reduction recommendations
- Cardiac monitoring
- Advanced therapies, such as catheter ablation or device implantation
- Referral to subspecialists when needed
Family Screening and Genetic Counseling
Inherited heart conditions often affect multiple members of a family.
If genetic testing identifies a disease‑associated variant, the program may help coordinate:
- Screening for family members
- Genetic counseling
- Preventive cardiac evaluation
- Enrollment in clinical registries and research studies
Identifying at‑risk relatives early can help prevent serious cardiac events through proactive monitoring and treatment.
Testing and Treatments
Diagnostic testing:
- Genetic testing
- Cardiac MRI
- Echocardiography
- Ambulatory heart rhythm monitoring
- Exercise stress testing
Advanced cardiac procedures:
- Catheter ablation for arrhythmias
- Implantable cardiac devices (pacemakers or defibrillators)
- Implantable loop recorders for long‑term rhythm monitoring
- Specialized therapies for complex arrhythmias
Research and Innovation
Wake Forest Baptist’s Center for Cardiovascular Genetic Medicine is committed to advancing the field of precision cardiovascular medicine.
Our research focuses on:
- Identifying genetic causes of heart rhythm disorders
- Understanding how genetic variants influence disease risk
- Developing genotype‑guided treatments
- Improving rapid genetic testing in hospitalized patients
- Translating genomic discoveries into real‑world clinical care
Who Should Consider Genetic Evaluation?
You may benefit from evaluation if you:
- Developed atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmias at a young age
- Have cardiomyopathy or unexplained heart muscle disease
- Have a strong family history of heart disease
- Have a family member with sudden cardiac death
- Have been told you carry a genetic variant related to heart disease
- Have unexplained cardiac symptoms or abnormal testing
Our Mission
Our goal is to build one of the most comprehensive cardiovascular genetics programs in the world – combining clinical care, research and family‑based prevention.
By understanding the genetic causes of heart disease, we aim to detect risk earlier, prevent complications, personalize treatment, and improve outcomes for patients and families.