Laura Yeates, BSc (hons) Grad Dip Gen Couns. FHGSA (Genetic Counselling), is a Genetic Counsellor with more than 17 years’ experience working in
cardiovascular genetics. She completed her Genetic Counsellor Certification with the Human Genetics Society of Australasia in 2014 and recently submitted her PhD thesis. She has over 50 publications in the field of cardiac genetics, ranging from gene discovery papers through to qualitative research detailing the impact of inherited cardiovascular conditions on the patient and their family. She is a past Chair (president) of the Australasian Society of Genetic Counsellors. In her spare time, she loves exploring the Inner west for the best coffee, playing netball and going to the beach.

What is genetic counselling?

Genetic counselling aims to help individuals, couples and families understand and adapt to medical information and familial implications of genetic (also called inherited) conditions. Genetic counsellors are postgraduate trained allied health professionals who support people and families impacted by a number of genetic conditions. Genetic counsellors work in all areas of health including cardiology, cancer, prenatal, ophthalmology, neurology and renal
specialities.

How can a genetic counsellor help me?

If you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with an inherited cardiovascular
condition, then you may benefit from seeing a genetic counsellor. These conditions include:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• Familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
• Arrythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
• Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC)
• Long QT syndrome (LQTS)
• Brugada Syndrome (BrS)
• Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
• Marfan’s syndrome or other aortopathy
• Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH)

You might like to see a genetic counsellor if:

• You want to learn more about your condition and the impact on your family.
• You want to understand who in your family is at risk of having the same condition and
  discuss ways to share this information with your family members.
• You are considering genetic testing and want to understand the possible findings of
  the testing and the implications of genetic testing on yourself, your family as well as
  insurance implications.
• You have a new diagnosis and want to talk through how this has impacted your life.
• You are planning a family and want to understand the options available to you.