A clinical protocol is applied to the family to rule out genetic diseases.

According to the National Institute of Statistics (INE) of Spain, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death for Spaniards, in addition to affecting the quality of life of those affected.

Among this group of diseases, there are some that are genetically based, that is, they are due to modifications in our genes (mutations) that cause alterations in the correct functioning of the heart and that can be inherited. This ability to transmit to offspring leads specialists to study, not only the individual, but families, and thus detect other possible affected people.

This is the approach of the new Adult Familial Cardiopathies Unit at La Luz Hospital and its head, Dr. Marcos García Aguado , with a comprehensive vision of this type of disease, which ranges from genetic, occupational, and sports counseling to the implantation, when necessary, of advanced therapeutic devices.

«We use the latest diagnostic techniques, which include high-quality genetic studies of international reference. We must try to detect those who may be affected early, studying the families, anticipating complications and applying preventive medicine," says García Aguado.

Familial heart diseases (genetic origin) are a group of diseases that can be associated with serious conditions such as sudden arrhythmogenic death, sometimes the first manifestation of the pathology. For this specialist, in some of them, we can anticipate the clinical manifestations, thanks to genetic studies.

At the La Luz Hospital, the Cardiology Service launches this unit exclusively focused on these pathologies, focused on both the patient and their families. As explained by Dr. Marcos García Aguado, we also facilitate the assessment of families, working in coordination with the Pediatric Cardiology Unit, directed by Dr. Constancio Medrano.

«If we suspect that we may have a familial heart disease or we have a family member affected by one of these pathologies, it is advisable to perform a study to find out if we are carriers of the disease and what that implies, both for us and for our offspring. Without a doubt, it is better to know the information, which will allow us to make the appropriate decisions, to lead the healthiest life possible," concludes García Aguado.