Overview
The Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare (CPGH) provides genetic counseling to individuals with a personal and/or family history of cardiovascular disease. CPGH's genetic experts will work with your primary care provider and/or cardiologist to assess your potential risks for cardiovascular disease. This information will be incorporated into the overall care you receive at Cleveland Clinic.
Scheduling an Appointment
Prior to requesting an appointment, you will need to obtain a referral from your physician. If you are a patient outside Cleveland Clinic's health system, please have your physician complete a referral form and fax to 216.445.6935. To learn more about how to prepare for your appointment, review the "Before your visit" tab.
Our Team
The Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare’s (CPGH) is committed to providing comprehensive clinical genetic services, education and support to patients and family members. Our team of genetic experts will work with other Cleveland Clinic primary care providers and specialists to personalize your care by incorporating your genetic information into your overall health care plan.
Genetic Counselors
- Diane Clements, MS, CGC
- Paul Crawford, MS, CGC
- Joseph Liu, MS, CGC
- Christina Rigelsky, MS, CGC
CPGH's genetic experts work with cardiovascular specialists in the following heart & vascular centers:
Who Should Be Seen
You should consider having a genetic evaluation if you have a family and/or personal history of the following:
- Cardiovascular condition diagnosis at a young age.
- Two or more family members with the same type of cardiovascular condition.
- Arrhythmia (heart beat abnormalities).
- Cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart).
- Enlarged aorta or aortic aneurysm in the chest at a young age (<60).
- Heart defect present since birth.
- Family member who died from a sudden cardiac death.
- Family member with a gene mutation related to a cardiovascular condition.
Contact your primary care provider (cardiologist) or the Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare (CPGH) to determine if a genetic counseling evaluation is appropriate for you.
What to Expect
Before Your Visit
Physician Referral
Prior to requesting an appointment, you will need to obtain a referral from your physician. If you are a patient outside the Cleveland Clinic Health System, please have your physician complete referral form and fax to 216.445.6935.
Collect Your Medical Records
If you are a patient outside the Cleveland Clinic Health System, you should send an authorization for the release of medical records form to each external facility. You may arrange to have medical records faxed (30 pages or less) to our department at 216.445.6935 or sent postal mail.
Cleveland Clinic
Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare
Attn: Cardiovascular Genetics
9500 Euclid Ave. R4
Cleveland, OH 44195
Collect Your Family Health History
To make the most of your visit, you should gather family health history information prior to your appointment. It may be helpful for you to talk with your relatives about cardiovascular conditions running in your family. Specifically, you will want to discuss the following:
- Who in the family has been diagnosed with a cardiovascular condition, and how are they related to you?
- What type of cardiovascular disease did each affected relative have (such as aneurysm, cardiomyopathy)?
- At what age was each individual diagnosed with cardiovascular disease? If the age is unknown, the approximate decade when diagnosed is helpful (such as in their 40s or 70s).
- If a family member is believed to have died from a heart attack, how was the diagnosis made (was the diagnosis made in a hospital, was there an autopsy, or was it a sudden death and assumed to be a heart attack)?
- Has anyone in the family had genetic testing?
At Your Visit
We will provide personalized expert genetic counseling and education to you and your family. During your visit, you will see a genetics expert (genetic counselor and/or clinical geneticist) for a genetics evaluation. You may also be scheduled with other Cleveland Clinic providers during your visit depending on your medical needs and physician availability.
Our comprehensive method for genetic counseling involves:
- Diagnosis of a genetic condition through review of family and medical history, examination by a clinical geneticist, and if appropriate, genetic testing.
- Education about your specific diagnosis and any associated health risks if known.
- Suggestions for future medical care to optimize your health.
- Discussion of health risks to family members.
- Recommendations regarding genetic testing for at-risk family members and coordination of testing, if desired.
- If genetic testing is indicated, blood can usually be drawn on the same day following your appointment.
Following Your Visit
After your visit, it may take anywhere from a few days up to two weeks for your clinical appointment notes to reach the healthcare providers that you requested to receive a copy. We are also glad to communicate with your healthcare providers about your case as needed. You are always welcome to follow up with us with questions regarding your visit.
Cost & Insurance
Genetic counseling and testing are billed as two separate services.
Genetic Counseling
There currently is no charge for genetic counseling visits. Please note this policy is subject to change. To confirm the cost of genetic counseling visits, contact us at 216.636.1768.
Genetic Testing
If genetic testing is indicated, your genetic counselor will discuss costs and insurance coverage during your appointment.
Some patients are concerned that their genetic information may be used against them. To learn about your patient rights and protections in place to prevent genetic discrimination, read this article on GINA.
To learn more about billing options and financial assistance, review our billing and insurance information.
