CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
CARDIAC GENETIC TESTING
Skilled specialists, here for you
- No.1 for private cardiac care in the UK
- Rapid access to tests and scans
- 99% of patients would recommend us to family and friends
CARDIAC GENETIC TESTING AT HCA UK
Why choose us?
Choose us and you’ll be in the hands of one of the world’s most highly experienced teams of consultant cardiologists, geneticists, nurses and radiologists. We treat complexity daily and we’re here for you through what can be an emotional journey. You can access comprehensive cardiac genetic screening and advanced treatment for all forms of inherited cardiovascular disease at our London-based Cardiac Genetics Clinic. Our compassionate teams will take you seamlessly from genetic testing through to diagnosis, risk assessment, monitoring and care.
36,000+ cardiac patients treated every year
99% success rate across all cardiac surgery
250+ cardiology consultants across our hospitals
Innovative treatments
See a specialist and get dedicated, expert care
State-of-the-art facilities
New techniques and technology
Rapid access
Get tests, scans and results fast
CARDIAC GENETIC TESTING SERVICES
A network of specialist support you can trust
Our teams use sophisticated genetic testing in our state-of-the-art research laboratories to try and identify the faulty gene that’s causing an inherited cardiac condition.
Genetic testing
We offer genetic testing at a number of clinics throughout the HCA Healthcare UK network. The laboratory testing for genetics is undertaken by Sarah Cannon Molecular Diagnostics, part of HCA Healthcare UK. When booking your appointment we can advise on the service which is available closest to you.
Family screening
We can advise you on the best time to screen any family members that may be affected and recommend whether genetic testing or other diagnostic approaches might be best.
HCA Healthcare UK Laboratories
State-of-the-art analysis of human tissues and specimens.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your time with us
Having testing for an inherited cardiac condition can be a worrying time. We’re here to keep you informed at every stage, offering clarity and a reassuring gold standard of knowledge, insight and compassionate care.
Our approach will vary depending on your specific needs and potential cardiac condition, but the overview below gives you a good idea of what to expect.
Our approach will vary depending on your specific needs and potential cardiac condition, but the overview below gives you a good idea of what to expect.
01
Referral to us
If your GP or cardiologist suspects that you or your child have an inherited cardiac condition, they’ll refer you to us for genetic testing. Symptoms such as heart palpitations, blackouts or chest pain can often be signs that something needs investigating.
02
Initial diagnostics
Testing always starts with a thorough assessment. You’ll have an initial meeting with a consultant who specialises in inherited cardiac diseases to discuss your family medical history, and they’ll carry out a series of initial tests that same day too. Depending on your situation this may include:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): To check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity
- Echocardiogram (ECHO): To look at the structure of your heart and valves as well as providing information on the function and pumping action of your heart
- A 24-hour tape and exercise test, which will be reviewed with the most appropriate specialist
03
Cardiac consultation
You’ll be paired with a consultant cardiologist who has the right expertise for your condition. They’ll review your results and may recommend further diagnostic tests to provide extra clarity about your heart function, including:
- A stress echo test to determine how well your heart and blood vessels are working during exercise
- Cardiac MRI to understand your heart’s structure and assess how well it’s performing
- Genetic testing to help find a genetic explanation for your condition or determine the risk of an inherited condition
- Specialist Holter monitoring or an Ajmaline test if the team suspects that you have Brugada syndrome
04
Results
You’ll want to know the results of your tests as soon as possible, so we’ll have the cardiology investigations back with you within 48 hours. These will be reviewed by a consultant cardiologist, who’ll recommend next steps. The results of genetic testing take around 4 to 6 weeks to come back.
Our locations
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Cardiac genetic testing FAQ
Unlike more widely known forms of heart disease, inherited cardiovascular disease is normally caused by a gene mutation passed down through families.
The results of a faulty gene can become apparent at any age, and they can affect people with any level of fitness. If they’re left undetected or untreated, these disorders can lead to significant cardiac problems so it’s important to get anything that concerns you checked by a specialist.
The results of a faulty gene can become apparent at any age, and they can affect people with any level of fitness. If they’re left undetected or untreated, these disorders can lead to significant cardiac problems so it’s important to get anything that concerns you checked by a specialist.
Our Cardiac Genetics Clinic combines comprehensive cardiac genetic screening and advanced treatment for all forms of inherited cardiovascular disease, spanning:
- Cardiomyopathies: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Arrythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy and Non-compaction Cardiomyopathy
- Inherited arrhythmias: Long QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome and Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT)
- Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS): Also known as sudden adult death syndrome, this is the cause of approximately 30% to 40% of sudden deaths with no other obvious cause, due to inherited cardiomyopathies or arrhythmias
- Aortopathies: Refers to inherited problems with the aorta and includes such conditions as Marfans syndrome and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
- Neuromuscular diseases: Many genetic neuromuscular diseases affect the heart, and these include Myotonic Dystrophy, Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophies and Dystrophinopathies
- Familial hypercholesterolemia: This affects around 600,000 people in the UK and can lead to premature strokes and heart attacks
- Metabolic diseases: This includes many very rare diseases such as mitochondrial disease and storage disease
Our specialist teams carry out sophisticated genetic testing in our state-of-the-art research laboratories to try and identify any faulty gene that may be causing an inherited cardiac condition.
With between 20 – 25,000 different genes in the human spectrum, they first need to define the parameters for specific genetics tests by analysing your symptoms and those of any other family members being screened. They can also look at your individual and family history of cardiovascular disease.
If they suspect that you do have an underlying genetic issue, they can carry out a simple blood test which can be analysed by our skilled pathologists in our HCA UK Laboratories.
Our cardiac genetics team will then offer a comprehensive diagnosis and create a personalised treatment plan developed by studying the faulty gene and your diagnostic tests in depth.
With between 20 – 25,000 different genes in the human spectrum, they first need to define the parameters for specific genetics tests by analysing your symptoms and those of any other family members being screened. They can also look at your individual and family history of cardiovascular disease.
If they suspect that you do have an underlying genetic issue, they can carry out a simple blood test which can be analysed by our skilled pathologists in our HCA UK Laboratories.
Our cardiac genetics team will then offer a comprehensive diagnosis and create a personalised treatment plan developed by studying the faulty gene and your diagnostic tests in depth.
Once it’s clear that someone in your family has a cardiac genetic mutation, there’s the chance that other family members may be affected too. They could be any age, and they may be living with the condition themselves, or simply be a carrier.
We can advise on the best time to screen other family members and whether genetic testing or other diagnostic approaches might be more effective. Identifying the condition that affects your family can help us to start treatment at the very best time with the aim of preventing significant cardiac episodes from developing.
If your relatives are experiencing similar symptoms or already have comparable diagnoses, we still recommend that they undergo screening so that they can receive the most appropriate advice for themselves and any children that may be affected.
We can advise on the best time to screen other family members and whether genetic testing or other diagnostic approaches might be more effective. Identifying the condition that affects your family can help us to start treatment at the very best time with the aim of preventing significant cardiac episodes from developing.
If your relatives are experiencing similar symptoms or already have comparable diagnoses, we still recommend that they undergo screening so that they can receive the most appropriate advice for themselves and any children that may be affected.
The Cardiac Genetics Clinic works alongside HCA UK Laboratories providing routine genetics analysis as well as detailed explorations into more complex inherited cardiac conditions.
Collectively, we’re able to give our patients access to a powerful multi-disciplinary team of pathologists, and to seamlessly turnaround results. Our outstanding laboratories have been built over years in which we’ve established great relationships and honed our collaborative working practices.
It all means that we’re able to operate a flexible and efficient pathology service of the very highest quality, ready to give your family the fast, accurate, specialist support you need.
Collectively, we’re able to give our patients access to a powerful multi-disciplinary team of pathologists, and to seamlessly turnaround results. Our outstanding laboratories have been built over years in which we’ve established great relationships and honed our collaborative working practices.
It all means that we’re able to operate a flexible and efficient pathology service of the very highest quality, ready to give your family the fast, accurate, specialist support you need.
We offer treatments at the Cardiac Genetics Clinic based in St Olaf House at HCA UK’s London Bridge Hospital.
Being diagnosed with an inherited cardiac condition doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll need any specific treatment. If you do need treatment, you may be prescribed medication to help with minor symptoms or you may be considered for surgery.
At HCA UK, we have an exceptional cardiac team including a choice of 235 consultant cardiologists. They’re here to offer you any expert intervention you may need, including:
At HCA UK, we have an exceptional cardiac team including a choice of 235 consultant cardiologists. They’re here to offer you any expert intervention you may need, including:
- PEARS: Personalised External Aortic Root Support
- Catheter ablation
- Pacemakers and defibrillators including subcutaneous and extravascular defibrillators
- Surgery and advanced medical therapies for obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Reviewed by