RELATIVES of people with inherited heart conditions should undergo genetic tests to avoid unnecessary deaths, a leading charity claims.
British Heart Foundation (BHF) is calling for the screening of “first-degree” family members of individuals found to have the most serious conditions. The organisation says one in six people with deadly inherited heart conditions are only diagnosed after having a cardiac arrest.
Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, BHF medical director, said: “It is extremely important that family members are offered genetic testing when there’s a history of sudden death or premature heart disease in a family. Once diagnosed, many of these conditions are manageable.
“All too often people aren’t familiar with their family history, or they aren’t aware that a sudden death might be linked to an underlying heart condition.
“We need to improve awareness of these conditions, and ensure that people have equal access to cascade genetic testing across the UK.”
According to BHF research, one fifth of those affected by such health risks only gain diagnosis after a sudden death in the family.
The figures are released today as part of the charity’s In Your Genes campaign, which aims to raise awareness of inherited cardiac conditions and save lives.
BHF estimates that around 620,000 people in the UK have a faulty gene which puts them at an “unusually high” risk of developing heart disease or dying suddenly at a young age.
The children of those with genetic heart problems have a 50 per cent chance of having the same faulty gene and estimates suggest at least 12 people under the age of 35 die from an undiagnosed heart condition every week across the United Kingdom.
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