Nearly 50% of all cardiomyopathy cases are inherited but only a minority of cardiomyopathy patients get genetically tested.

What is cardiomyopathy?

Cardiomyopathies are diseases that affect the heart muscle and its ability to pump blood through the body.

It’s a serious condition, but uncommon and can be managed, often misdiagnosed or undetected, so it’s important to know what to look out for and minimise the risk of sudden cardiac death.

Around half of all cardiomyopathies are inherited which means the condition can be passed from a parent to a child.

What is a gene?

Genes carry the information that determines your features and characteristics and lots of other things about you that are passed on to you — or inherited — from your parents. Each cell in the human body contains about 25,000 to 35,000 genes.

Why do genes matter in cardiomyopathy?

Many different genes can cause cardiomyopathy. Most are genes involved in building the heart muscle. Research is still ongoing to understand how certain genes impact the type of cardiomyopathy.

How might getting genetically tested save lives?

Getting genetically tested may save lives by helping to identify people at most risk of cardiomyopathy.

What genes are important in cardiomyopathy?

Currently, over 70 genes are known to cause cardiomyopathy but as understanding of the genes involved in cardiomyopathies grows, this is expected to increase.

What are the guidelines for genetic testing?

Current guidelines recommend genetic counselling and testing for all patients diagnosed with cardiomyopathy but across Europe, only a minority of cardiomyopathy patients get genetically tested.

Why is genetic testing important for future treatment?

Research is underway for potential new treatments that target the genes known to cause some cardiomyopathies. Genetic testing helps advance future genetic research and therapies.