Who should seek genetic evaluation

You should consider having a genetic evaluation if you have a family and/or personal history of the following:

• Enlarged aorta or chest aortic aneurysm detected or presenting with an acute aortic dissection
• Early onset of vascular disorders, such as arterial dissections or aneurysms
• Unusual vascular diseases, like moyamoya disease and midaortic syndorme
• Presence of two or more family members with aortic disease or other vascular diseases
• Bicuspid aortic valve with or without other CV complications in multiple family members
• Family history of sudden cardiac death in a patient with aortic or other vascular diseases
• Family history of genetic mutations associated with cardiovascular conditions

What to expect

Before your visit

Physician referral: Before requesting an appointment, you must obtain a referral from your physician. If you are a patient outside of UT Physicians or Memorial Hermann, please have your physician contact us at (713) 500-6715 or [email protected].

Collect your family health history: To optimize your visit, gather family health history information before your appointment. Discuss cardiovascular conditions within your family and consider the following:

• Who in the family has been diagnosed with a cardiovascular condition, and how are they related to you?
• What type of cardiovascular disease did each affected relative have (such as aneurysm or cardiomyopathy)?
• At what age was each individual diagnosed with cardiovascular disease?
• If a family member is believed to have died from a heart attack, how was the diagnosis made?
• Has anyone in the family had genetic testing?

At your visit

We offer personalized expert genetic counseling and education to you and your family. During your visit, you will meet with a genetics expert (genetic counselor and/or clinical geneticist) for an evaluation. Depending on your medical needs and physician availability, you may also see other UTHealth Houston Heart & Vascular providers.

Our comprehensive genetic counseling method includes:

• Diagnosis of a genetic condition through review of family and medical history, examination by a clinical geneticist, and, if appropriate, genetic testing
• Education about your specific diagnosis and associated health risks
• Suggestions for future medical care to optimize your health
• Discussion of health risks to family members
• Recommendations regarding genetic testing for at-risk family members and coordination of testing, if desired

If genetic testing is needed, saliva (or in rare cases, blood) can be collected on the same day following your appointment.

Following your visit

After your visit, it may take a few days to two weeks for your clinical appointment notes to reach the healthcare providers you requested to receive a copy. We are also available to communicate with your health care providers about your case as needed. Feel free to follow up with us if you have any questions regarding your visit.