The CardioGenetic Service at M.I.A.L. brings together specialist cardiology and clinical genetics expertise to support patients and families affected by inherited cardiac disease. Our multidisciplinary team combines detailed cardiac assessment with genetic testing and genetic counselling, offering a coordinated pathway from diagnosis through to long-term management for cardiomyopathy, inherited arrhythmia syndromes and sudden cardiac death risk.
Who is this service for?
This service is designed for individuals with a known or suspected inherited cardiac muscle disease (cardiomyopathy) — including hypertrophic, dilated or arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy — and for those with a family history of inherited cardiac disease or sudden cardiac death. Early assessment and genetic testing can help identify risk, guide management and protect family members who may also be affected.
Among conditions we assess
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
- Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM/ARVC)
- Non-Dilated Left Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (NDLVC)
- Inherited arrhythmia syndromes and other family histories linked to sudden cardiac death
What the service includes
- Cardiomyopathy consultant review — a detailed review of your personal and family history, symptoms and cardiac risk with our specialist cardiomyopathy consultant, Dr Castiello.
- Cardiac investigations — ECG, echocardiogram (Echo) or CardioHART, and cardiac MRI, together with any further clinically indicated investigations, to build a complete picture of heart structure and function.
- CardioGeneticist consultation — specialist consultation with our CardioGeneticist, Dr M. O. Wafik, including genetic testing where appropriate to identify an underlying inherited cause.
- Multidisciplinary team (MDT) review — your case and results are discussed by our multidisciplinary team, who agree a personalised follow-up and long-term management plan covering risk assessment, symptom control, family screening, and long-term management planning.
Why choose the CardioGenetic Service
- Joined-up expertise — cardiology and clinical genetics working together, so nothing is assessed in isolation.
- Comprehensive assessment — a full suite of cardiac imaging and genetic testing available in one coordinated pathway.
- Family-focused care — management plans that consider not only the patient, but the wider family.
- Ongoing support — a clear follow-up plan and long-term monitoring, tailored to your individual risk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CardioGenetic Service?
It is a combined cardiology and clinical genetics service for people with inherited cardiac disease, offering consultant cardiomyopathy review, cardiac imaging, genetic testing and multidisciplinary team (MDT) follow-up.
Who should consider genetic testing for cardiomyopathy?
Anyone with a known or suspected inherited cardiomyopathy, or a first-degree relative with inherited cardiac disease or sudden cardiac death, may benefit from cardiac genetic testing and family screening.
What does a CardioGeneticist do?
A CardioGeneticist specialises in the genetic causes of inherited heart conditions, interpreting genetic test results alongside cardiac investigations to inform diagnosis, risk assessment and family screening.
Why is family screening important for inherited cardiac disease?
Many cardiomyopathies and inherited arrhythmia syndromes run in families. Screening relatives can identify those at risk of sudden cardiac death early, allowing timely monitoring and preventative management.
