Hosted by the DCM Foundation and LMNAcardiac.org
Earlier this week, the DCM Foundation and LMNAcardiac.org co-hosted a powerful webinar titled “Transforming Cardiomyopathy Care” — bringing together clinicians, genetic counselors, nurses, and patient advocates to tackle two major gaps in cardiomyopathy care that continue to put patients at risk:
- Genetic risk is being overlooked. Fewer than 1% of cardiomyopathy patients receive genetic testing, even though nearly 50% of cases have a genetic basis — including LMNA-related forms.
- Support networks are underutilized. Too many patients face cardiomyopathy alone, without access to the community and peer resources that can make a life-changing difference.
Why Genetics Matter
Ana Morales, MS, CGC, a leading cardiovascular genetic counselor, opened the session by underscoring the life-saving impact of genetic testing in cardiomyopathy. She reviewed current testing guidelines and shared pathways for accessing free genetic testing programs—vital for identifying at-risk families and guiding precision treatment strategies.
Innovative Care in Action
Heidi Salisbury, RN, MSN, CNS-BC, ACGN, co-founder of the Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease, shared insights from Stanford’s nurse-driven cardiomyopathy programs. These initiatives show how proactive outreach, patient-to-patient connections, and education can transform care delivery and outcomes for those living with genetic cardiomyopathies like LMNA-related disease.
The Power of Patient Stories
Two inspiring patient advocates shared personal stories that brought the discussion to life:
- Christy Johnson, founder of the DSP Facebook Group, described how genetic testing revealed the cause of her condition and changed her cardiomyopathy journey.
- Hannah Keime, co-founder of HeartCharged, spoke about the transformative role of peer support and how community networks empowered her care experience.
Key Takeaways
- Genetic testing saves lives. Every cardiology team should integrate genetic screening into patient care pathways.
- Support networks matter. Peer and community engagement are critical for improving quality of life and outcomes.
- Care teams can act now. With the right tools and partnerships, clinicians can close the gaps in diagnosis, referral, and support.
- Free CME/CNE courses are available to strengthen knowledge in cardiovascular genetics and inherited cardiomyopathies.
Watch the Recording
If you missed the live session, you can watch the full webinar here:
🎥 WEBINAR Recording: Transforming Cardiomyopathy Care
LMNAcardiac.org extends sincere thanks to the DCM Foundation for this meaningful collaboration. Together, we continue to raise awareness, improve access to genetic testing, and strengthen support for everyone affected by inherited cardiomyopathies — including LMNA-related disease.