November 17, 2009

Genetic Tests Check Risk for Sudden Death

By Kelley Luckstein

If you have a relative who suffered sudden unexplained death, postmortem genetic testing is a cost-effective way of identifying mutations that may place you and other surviving family members at increased risk for potentially fatal heart rhythm disturbances, a new study suggests.

 

"Postmortem gene testing may be a better way to determine risk to relatives than traditional comprehensive cardiac testing of first-degree relatives," says researcher Michael J. Ackerman, MD, PhD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

 

WebMD by Charlene Laino, 11/16/09

Tags: Cardiology, Genetic testing, Sudden Cardiac Death

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