Inherited heart conditions
Inherited cardiac conditions are a group of genetic disorders that can affect the heart muscle and the heart rhythm. They are conditions passed on through families and can affect people of any age.
Similarly some illnesses can be inherited through a combination of parental genes, despite parents not presenting with the condition. Here is an overview of the most common inherited heart conditions.
Cardiomyopathies
Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disease that affects its size, shape and structure. Common cardiomyopathies include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Inherited arrythmias
The most common Inherited Arrythmias or abnormal heart rhythms are:
- Brugada syndrome: a genetic disorder of the heart rhythm that can cause ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest.
- Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT): a disorder of the calcium channels in the heart muscle, resulting in problems with electrical signalling and irregular heartbeats, especially during exercise.
- Long QT syndrome: a prolonged electrical recovery phase (QT interval) of the heartbeat that can result in rapid, chaotic beats.
Symptoms
Symptoms of inherited cardiac conditions can include dizzy spells, palpitations and blackouts. However, some people with inherited heart conditions have no symptoms and, sadly, the first sign that something is wrong can be when someone dies with no obvious cause.
Acquired heart conditions
Acquired heart conditions develop after birth, often due to illness or infection.
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