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According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), heart and circulatory diseases cause over a quarter of all UK deaths each year. While most people recognise common conditions, like coronary heart disease, others fly under the radar – including inherited heart conditions (IHCs).
These genetic conditions are passed on through families via faulty genes and can be life-threatening without treatment. However, because many inherited heart conditions don’t cause symptoms, getting tested if you’re at risk is key.
While there’s currently no cure, there’s reason for optimism. With the right treatment, most people with an IHC can control their symptoms and live full, normal lives.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at eight different inherited heart conditions you should know about.
What are inherited heart conditions (IHCs)?
Inherited heart conditions (IHCs) – sometimes called inherited cardiac conditions (ICCs) – are heart disorders that run in families, passed down through faulty genes from one generation to the next.
These genetic mutations can affect the heart’s structure, how well it pumps blood, and the electrical system that controls its rhythm.
The scale of IHCs in the UK is significant: the NHS estimates that around one in every 250 people worldwide has an inherited heart condition, and they can affect people of all ages.
The video below from the British Heart Foundation explains more about IHCs and shows the impact they can have on a person’s life.
What causes inherited heart conditions?
As with other heart and circulatory conditions, lifestyle factors, such as smoking and poor diet, can worsen IHC. However, genetics remains the root cause.
Our genes are essentially like our body’s instruction manual. Each of our trillions of cells contains a nucleus packed with 20,000 to 25,000 genes that make us unique, determining everything from eye colour to how our heart functions. We inherit this code from our parents, and when there’s a fault (or mutation) in one of these heart-related genes, it can trigger an IHC.
According to the BHF, if one of your parents has a faulty gene, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting it. If you do inherit the mutation, there’s a 50% chance of passing it on to your own children. Equally, if you don’t inherit the gene variant, you can’t pass it on to your children.
What makes things more complicated is that you can carry a faulty gene without ever showing symptoms. Your heart might function normally your entire life, yet you could still pass the faulty gene onto your children. This hidden nature of IHCs is exactly why family screening is so key.
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8 inherited heart conditions
The NHS explains that IHCs can be separated into three main categories: inherited cardiomyopathies, inherited channelopathies, and inherited aortopathies. Each affects a different part of the cardiovascular system.
While these conditions might sound intimidating, understanding what they do can help demystify them.
Many IHCs can go easily undetected, at least during the earlier stages, as it’s common for people to experience no symptoms. That said, some people may develop symptoms like chest pain, lightheadedness, fainting, fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling of the legs, feet, ankles, or abdomen.
Note: While the conditions outlined below can be caused by genetics, it’s important to note that some can also be caused by other factors.
When the heart muscle goes wrong – cardiomyopathies
These conditions affect the heart muscle, either making it too thick, too thin, or too weak.
1. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) causes the heart’s muscular wall (the myocardium) to become abnormally thick and stiff, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood around the body.
According to the BHF, around one in 500 people in the UK has HCM, and many people live symptom-free throughout their lives.
Some people find that symptoms develop gradually, likely as their heart muscle becomes stiffer. HCM can also increase the risk of other health issues, including atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm), endocarditis (infection of the heart’s inner lining), and a leaky heart valve.
2. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) causes the heart’s main pumping chamber (called the left ventricle) to become enlarged and the walls to become thinner and weaker, making it difficult to pump blood around the body.
More common than HCM, the BHF estimates that around one in 250 people in the UK has DCM. While it can be inherited, experts have also linked the condition to other factors, including heart attacks or alcohol abuse.
3. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM)
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a rare condition that’s essentially caused by your heart losing its “glue”. It’s caused by a fault with a protein that holds your heart muscle together, weakening the heart walls and preventing blood from pumping effectively.
ACM is rare, and most people with the condition can live normal lives. Some people experience no symptoms or develop them later in life.
While there’s no cure, treatments can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.
When electrical systems fail – channelopathies
Our hearts rely on electricity, and these conditions disrupt the crucial signals that regulate heart rhythm.
4. Long QT syndrome
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a rare condition where your heart’s electrical system fails to recharge between heartbeats. This can cause dangerous rhythm disruptions, potentially leading to fainting and seizures.
5. Brugada syndrome
Brugada syndrome is a rare condition in which electrical messages get disrupted, causing dangerously fast heart rhythms.
Most people with Brugada syndrome don’t have any symptoms. But when they do occur, they can include lightheadedness, fainting, fits, shortness of breath, palpitations, or even sudden cardiac arrest.
6. Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is rare and typically shows up in childhood. It tends to be worse when someone is under physical or emotional stress, causing dizziness, palpitations, fainting, and blackouts. However, as with many IHCs, some people experience no symptoms
When your main artery is affected – aortopathies
Aortopathies are conditions that affect the aorta, which is the body’s main artery. This includes…
7. Marfan syndrome
Marfan syndrome affects the body’s connective tissue, including the heart and blood vessels. According to the Marfan Foundation, Marfan syndrome affects around one in 5,000 people in the UK.
Heart and blood vessel issues affect around nine in 10 people with the condition and include things like aortic enlargement and bulging of the aorta walls, increasing the risk of tearing or rupture.
Luckily, experts at the Marfan Foundation say treatment can significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening complications. While it’s estimated that three out of four people with Marfan syndrome inherit the condition, others are the first in their family to have it (known as a spontaneous mutation).
8. Loeys-Dietz syndrome
Like Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) also affects the body’s connective tissue. But there are some important differences, which you can read about on the Marfan Trust website.
According to the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation, experts look for four main symptoms when diagnosing the condition. These are…
- Aneurysms (widening or dilation of arteries)
- Arterial tortuosity (twisted or spiralled arteries), most often in blood vessels in the neck
- Widely spaced eyes (hypertelorism)
- A split or broad uvula (the small piece of flesh that hangs down in the back of the mouth)
That said, symptoms of LDS can vary from person to person.
Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS)
A cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body. Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) is when someone dies suddenly or unexpectedly from a cardiac arrest with no clear cause.
SADS differs from sudden cardiac death (SCD), which is when the cause of a cardiac arrest can be found in a post-mortem examination. For example, partially or fully blocked arteries after a heart attack.
SADS is typically the result of an IHC that affects the heart’s electrical system, such as Brugada syndrome. However, because heart rhythm and electrical impulses stop after death, and the heart’s structure may look normal, it can sometimes be difficult to identify the cause of a cardiac arrest. This is why SADS may be diagnosed.
According to the BHF, SADS affects around 500 people in the UK every year.
If someone you love has passed away as a result of SADS, it can be an incredibly difficult time. It’s natural to feel confused about what’s happened or wonder whether anything could have been done to prevent it. You might also feel worried about your own health or that of other family members.
Whatever you’re going through, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone and there’s support out there to help you. Bereavement services are available through your GP. The BHF’s community platform, HealthUnlocked, also allows you to connect with others who have been through similar experiences.
While you may not feel ready to get tested immediately, it’s important to remember that the sooner you’re seen, the earlier an IHC can be diagnosed, or your risk of developing one in the future can be assessed. If you have an IHC, you should be offered regular health checks and treatment if you need it.
Note: A cardiac arrest is a medical emergency. The NHS has more information on what to do in a heart emergency, including phoning 999.
How are inherited heart conditions diagnosed?
The BHF recommends getting a referral to a specialist centre if you’re related to someone who has, or is suspected of having, an IHC. This can be done through your GP. Here, tests can reveal if you carry the faulty gene, which could develop into an IHC. This type of genetic testing is called cascade testing.
Similarly, if you’ve been diagnosed with an IHC, experts recommend that your first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) get tested, too.
The most common tests used to diagnose IHCs include ECGs, echocardiograms, and the use of 24-hour heart monitors. The NHS has more information on how IHCs are diagnosed on its website.
Because many IHCs cause no symptoms, it’s not unusual for people to only find out a heart condition runs in their family when someone dies suddenly with no obvious cause. For this reason, it’s essential to get tested if you’re at risk.
Worried about accessing the NHS care you need?
83% of Rest Less members are worried about accessing the healthcare they need on the NHS#, making fast access to treatment more important than ever.
HMCA private medical cover offers affordable, flexible plans, with 90% of members saving money when they switch. Enjoy peace of mind. Join today and get £150 off your subscription.
#Data from over 1,000 Rest Less members surveyed in 2025
^Data from HMCA members who joined between 01/01/25 and 30/06/25
How are inherited heart conditions treated?
While it can be frustrating to learn that there’s currently no cure for IHCs, treatment can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.
Treatment will vary depending on the type of IHC you have and how advanced it is. Your doctor or specialist will be able to advise you on the right treatment for you.
According to the BHF, some of the most common treatments for IHCs include…
- Lifestyle adjustments – for example, improving your diet and maintaining a healthy weight
- Medication
- Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) – these are small electrical devices used to treat people with dangerously abnormal heart rhythms
To learn more about treatments for heart and circulatory conditions, head over to the BHF website.
Final thoughts…
Finding out that a heart condition runs in your family can be scary. However, while inherited heart conditions can’t be cured, the good news is that most people are able to manage symptoms, reduce the risk of complications, and live normal lives.
Just remember, when it comes to IHCs, knowledge is power. If you’re at risk or are experiencing symptoms, it’s important to speak to your GP. Getting diagnosed early can make all the difference.
For further reading, head over to our heart health section. Here, you’ll find information on everything from warning signs of heart disease to tips to help lower cholesterol.
Do you have any experience with an inherited heart condition that you’d like to share? We’d be interested to hear from you in the comments below.
* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.
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