Navigating Heart Disease Gene Discoveries from Genetic Tests

Genetic testing may uncover incidental genetic abnormalities associated with cardiovascular diseases. A new scientific statement published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine aims to help individuals and healthcare professionals understand what to do when a variant is discovered. The statement suggests next steps to determine whether a variant truly carries a health risk, provides support to healthcare professionals on how to communicate with people and their families, and suggests appropriate follow-up actions to care for people with variants deemed higher risk for cardiovascular disease.