Genomic Medicine

[JamesP]

As an af victim and a mother who had af too but survived to 96yrs have any of you had any serious discussions with your cardiac specialists about genomic medicine? This should be of interest to sufferers who are now in their mid years who may benefit from personalised medicine in the future?

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Interesting James, and it's certainly a branch of medicine which is growing rapidly although not without it's moral and ethical challenges.

But I think I agree if I were say in my 40's with AF, I might seriously look at having my DNA mapped, and my genomes examined for inherited conditions. However as I understand it (and please correct me if I am wrong) this would all be outside of the NHS currently, unless you were lucky enough to be part of a trial.

It's certainly part of the future of medicine, the challenge of course is what we do with the information once we have it. If there are things that we can change, then the information can be usefully used, but supposing there are things we cannot? Then the ethical dilemma.

It's an interesting and no doubt long debated subject.

Be well

Ian

[souljacs4]

I am passed that age but it sounds very interesting good to hear your mother survived until she was 96 hope for us all

[Goldfish_]

The problem is that af is multi factorial and very common. Approximately 10% of over 80 yr olds and 20% of over 90. Then there is the problem as stated that if you know you have say a 30% risk of developing af what are you going to do about it?

Gene therapy is clearly inappropriate .

You already know that you have an increased risk and so it is worth doing all the things to keep a healthy heart and being aware if you do feel your heart going fast and irregular .

But the best bit of course is that you have a genetic factor relating to longevity.