Who should be tested?
A doctor may order this test for any patient with a clinically diagnosed cardiac channelopathy or a cardiomyopathy or for any patient whom he/she strongly believes has one of these disorders. A doctor may also order this test for any at-risk members of families in which a mutation has already been identified.
It is very important to find information about the test from a knowledgeable health care professional or counselor. If there is a chance a person was exposed to HIV they should consider the advantages and disadvantages of testing. The sooner a person knows they have HIV infection they can take advantage of the medical treatment that can help maintain their health. For women who are considering pregnancy and have engaged in risky behaviors, it is recommended they test before becoming pregnant. It is helpful to be aware of the emotional consequences of knowing if a person’s HIV antibody status. Also, if the decision is made to be tested it would be helpful to do so at a center that offers pre-test and post-test counseling. Find out if the program is anonymous or confidential.
