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Published on: January 16, 2019
Introducing genetic testing for cardiovascular disease in primary care: a qualitative study
Jo B Middlemass1, Momina F Yazdani, Joe Kai
1School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Lincoln.
Patients undergoing genetic testing for coronary heart disease (CHD) showed varied responses, with some reinforcing healthy behaviors and others experiencing false reassurance. Understanding genetic risk alongside conventional assessment is crucial for health professionals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Genetics
- Health Psychology
- Preventive Cardiology
Background:
- Conventional cardiovascular risk assessment is standard in primary care.
- Genetic testing for coronary heart disease (CHD) is becoming more accessible.
- Patient responses to combined risk information are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate patient perceptions of genetic testing information for CHD.
- To understand how this information is integrated with conventional risk assessment.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative interview study conducted in 12 general practices.
- 29 adults who had undergone conventional cardiovascular risk assessment and consented to genetic testing were interviewed.
Main Results:
- Primary motivation for genetic testing was family history and informing children.
- Limited recall of genetic results and skepticism about their utility were observed.
- Participants reconciled conflicting risk information by prioritizing genetic or lifestyle factors.
- Genetic results influenced health behaviors, but some patients experienced false reassurance.
Conclusions:
- Genetic testing for CHD is acceptable to patients.
- Patients struggle to interpret genetic risk information in context.
- Health professionals should discuss genetic test results alongside family history and conventional risk assessment to promote healthy behaviors.
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