November is National Family Health History Month!

November is National Family Health History Month, and it’s a great time to talk to your family about your cardiac condition. Family Health History Month is a national initiative that encourages families to share their medical history with relatives who may also be affected – and possibly save their lives!

Family Health History Month is particularly important for us with SADS conditions. SADS conditions are genetic – meaning that if you’re affected, people in your family tree may be affected too (including aunts and uncles, cousins, and extended family).

By reaching out to your family and making them aware of your condition (and the possibility that they could be affected too), you could save the life of a loved one, or even a distant relative!

SADS conditions are treatable, but only if the person affected is diagnosed. Encourage your family members to get screened as soon as possible; if you or a family member need help finding a heart rhythm specialist, you can contact SADS@SADS.org for a physician referral in your area.

If anyone in your family is displaying SADS symptoms (fainting or near fainting, seizures, or palpitations), they should be screened immediately. Even if a family member doesn’t have symptoms, they should still be screened – a large percentage of SADS individuals never have any symptoms, but are still at risk and can pass the gene on to their children. You could be your family’s guardian angel!

It can be hard to know how to start conversations about SADS, especially with family members you aren’t regularly in contact with. If you haven’t told everyone in your extended family about you or your child’s condition, we have some points below that you can email to help start the conversation. We’re also happy to contact family members for you and answer any questions directly.

What do your family members need to know?

Here is an email script that you can forward or copy/paste:

I have been diagnosed with a cardiac condition that puts me at an increased risk of developing an arrhythmia that could lead to sudden death if I don’t treat it.

• My condition is genetic, which means there is a 50/50 chance of the gene passing from an affected parent to a child. This means there is a chance that you are also affected.

• My condition is treatable, and I have access to top experts to help keep me safe. But knowledge is power.

Contact SADS to access their network of physicians who specialize in these conditions and can help you find a doctor or access screening local to you.

If you would like help getting started please feel free to contact Marcia Baker, Program Director at sads@sads.org or 214-675-5577.

Information on genetic testing

Thanks to for the educational grant to enable us to provide this awareness program.

Invitae is offering the Detect Cardiomyopathy and Arrhythmia Program, which is a no-charge genetic testing and counseling program for individuals suspected of having a familial cardiomyopathy or arrhythmia.