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Introducing genetic testing for cardiovascular disease in primary care: a qualitative study

Middlemass, J.B.; Yazdani, M.F.; Kai, Joe; Standen, Penny; Qureshi, Nadeem

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Authors

J.B. Middlemass

M.F. Yazdani

Penny Standen



Abstract

Background: While primary care systematically offers conventional cardiovascular risk assessment, genetic tests for coronary heart disease (CHD) are increasingly commercially available to patients. It is unclear how individuals may respond to these new sources of risk information.

Aim: To explore how patients who have had a recent conventional cardiovascular risk assessment, perceive additional information from genetic testing for CHD.

Design and setting: Qualitative interview study in 12 practices in Nottinghamshire from both urban and rural settings.

Method: Interviews were conducted with 29 adults, who consented to genetic testing after having had a conventional cardiovascular risk assessment.

Results: Individuals’ principal motivation for genetic testing was their family history of CHD and a desire to convey the results to their children. After testing, however, there was limited recall of genetic test results and scepticism about the value of informing their children. Participants dealt with conflicting findings from the genetic test, family history, and conventional assessment by either focusing on genetic risk or environmental lifestyle factors. In some participants, genetic test results appeared to reinforce healthy behaviour but others were falsely reassured, despite having an ‘above-average’ conventional cardiovascular risk score.

Conclusion: Although genetic testing was acceptable, participants were unclear how to interpret genetic risk results. To facilitate healthy behaviour, health professionals should explore patients’ understanding of genetic test results in light of their family history and conventional risk assessment.

Citation

Middlemass, J., Yazdani, M., Kai, J., Standen, P., & Qureshi, N. (2014). Introducing genetic testing for cardiovascular disease in primary care: a qualitative study. British Journal of General Practice, 64(622), Article e282-e289. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp14X679714

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 9, 2014
Publication Date Apr 26, 2014
Deposit Date Mar 21, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 21, 2017
Journal British Journal of General Practice
Print ISSN 0960-1643
Electronic ISSN 1478-5242
Publisher Royal College of General Practitioners
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 64
Issue 622
Article Number e282-e289
DOI https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp14X679714
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/726636
Publisher URL http://bjgp.org/content/64/622/e282
Contract Date Mar 21, 2017

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