Cardiovascular Genetics

Cardiovascular genetic conditions are a group of over 50 disorders affecting the heart and/or vascular system that are most often caused by mutation(s) in a single gene. Diagnosis and management of these conditions can be complex. Many medical organizations such as the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, the Heart Failure Society of America, and the Heart Rhythm Society recommend that families with a hereditary heart condition have a cardiovascular genetic evaluation at a specialized center. 

At the University of Iowa Cardiovascular Genetics Program Clinics, our services include clinical evaluation, genetic testing, and management recommendations for patients and their families. We have also been recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association. Care coordination with pediatric cardiology is also provided.

Specialized, Comprehensive Care for:

• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
• Complications of connective tissue disorders, including:
  • Marfan syndrome
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
• Familial dyslipidemias
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• Inherited arrhythmias or “channelopathies,” such as:
  • Brugada syndrome
  • LQTS
  • SQTS
  • CPVT
• Neuromuscular disorders, including:
  • Becker and Duchenne muscular dystrophy
  • Myotonic dystrophy
• Other cardiomyopathies

Personalized Services in One Day:

• Consultation with genetic cardiologist
• Consultation with genetic counselor
• Additional consultations and testing as needed
  • Cardiac electrophysiology
  • Interventional cardiology
  • Cardiac surgery
  • Sleep medicine
  • Psychiatry or clinical psychology
  • Genetic testing
• Electrocardiogram
• Ambulatory electrocardiophic monitoring
• Implantable loop recording
• Exercise stress test
• Imaging
  • Echocardiogram
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan

Most of your visit will be spent in our Heart and Vascular Center outpatient clinic. This is where providers will come to see you and where you will have your testing. We can help coordinate and schedule all of your appointments.

When Would You Need a Referral to Cardiovascular Genetics

At age 60 or younger, if you or a family member has a history of:

• Advanced heart failure (cardiomyopathy)
• Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Aortic aneurysm
• Becker and Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Brugada syndrome
• Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia
• Friedrich ataxia
• Heart attack
• Loeys-Dietz syndrome 
• Long QT syndrome
• Marfan syndrome
• Mitochondrial myopathy
• Myotonic dystrophy type 1 or type 2
• Pacemaker/implantable cardioverter defibrillator
• Progressive conduction system disease
• Short QT syndrome
• Stroke 
• Untreated LDL cholesterol of 190 or higher
• Vascular Ehlers-Danlos (IV)
• Unexplained sudden death from an accident such as drowning or single car crash

Inherited cardiovascular disorders are the leading cause of sudden death in young people. Identifying at-risk patients and family members is often life-saving.

Clinical Trials

Our specialists have participated in clinical research that has resulted in the currently approved therapies. We continue to participate in clinical studies to determine how to combine current medications with new treatment options. You may be eligible to participate in a trial of new therapies. Learn more about clinical trials.