Genetics of dilated cardiomyopathy: practical implications for heart failure management
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Updated: Jan 5, 2026

Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model
Published on: August 8, 2022
Andrew N Rosenbaum1, Katherine E Agre2, Naveen L Pereira3,4,5
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Insights
Understanding heart failure genetics is crucial for reducing disease burden. Genetic testing and counseling aid in identifying pathogenic variants and implementing precision medicine for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Precision Medicine
Background:
- Heart failure presents a significant global health challenge, necessitating improved diagnostic and prognostic strategies.
- Genetic factors are increasingly recognized as a major cause of cardiomyopathies, driving advancements in heart failure genetics research.
- Identifying genetic variants is key to understanding disease mechanisms and tailoring treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical role of genetic investigation in diagnosing and managing heart failure.
- To discuss the progress and challenges in the field of heart failure genetics.
- To emphasize the need for increased genetic expertise in clinical practice for precision medicine.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of current research in cardiomyopathy genetics.
- Analysis of the impact of genetic testing on risk stratification and diagnosis.
- Evaluation of the role of genetic counseling in clinical settings.
Main Results:
- Familial evaluation and genetic testing can identify pathogenic genetic variants in cardiomyopathies.
- Genetic testing reveals disease heterogeneity, with challenges in interpreting variants of uncertain significance.
- Increased availability of genetic counselors is essential for integrating genetics into heart failure care.
Conclusions:
- Advances in heart failure genetics offer opportunities for personalized treatment strategies.
- Further research and clinical experience are needed to fully leverage genetic information for precision medicine in heart failure.
- Integrating genetic insights into clinical decision-making can improve patient management and outcomes.
Abstract:
Given the global burden of heart failure, strategies to understand the underlying cause or to provide prognostic information are critical to reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this highly prevalent disease. Cardiomyopathies often have a genetic cause, and the field of heart failure genetics is progressing rapidly. Through a deliberate investigation, evaluation for a familial component of cardiomyopathy can lead to increased identification of pathogenic genetic variants. Much research has also been focused on identifying markers of risk in patients with cardiomyopathy with the use of genetic testing. Advances in our understanding of genetic variants have been slightly offset by an increased recognition of the heterogeneity of disease expression. Greater breadth of genetic testing can increase the likelihood of identifying a variant of uncertain significance, which is resolved only rarely by cellular functional validation and segregation analysis. To increase the use of genetics in heart failure clinics, increased availability of genetic counsellors and other providers with experience in genetics is necessary. Ultimately, through ongoing research and increased clinical experience in cardiomyopathy genetics, an improved understanding of the disease processes will facilitate better clinical decision-making about the therapies offered, exemplifying the implementation of precision medicine.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Heart Failure I: Introduction
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

