Genetic Heart Rhythm Diseases
Welcome to the Genetic Heart Rhythm Diseases page. The Mayo Clinic Windland Smith Rice Genetic Heart Rhythm Clinic, with the Windland Smith Rice Sudden Death Genomics Laboratory in Rochester, MN, is dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and researching all types of genetic heart rhythm diseases that can cause sudden death.
Follow the Genetic Heart Rhythm Diseases page and stay up-to-date as we post stories, clinical trials, and useful information regarding your genetic heart rhythm condition.
The cold weather is here and the flu season is officially underway. Sadly, during the 2017-2018 flu season nearly 200 children died from influenza while thousands more were hospitalized. This, however, can be prevented. The flu shot is the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older should be vaccinated annually against influenza.
A common concern among our patients is whether or not the flu shot is harmful to patients with genetic heart rhythm disorders. Dr. Michael J Ackerman, a genetic cardiologist and the director of Mayo Clinic's Windland Smith Rice Genetic Heart Rhythm Clinic firmly believes that the benefits of getting immunized against the flu far outweigh the risks. Visit our previous post regarding the flu vaccination and genetic heart rhythm diseases to read more and watch a video Dr. Ackerman created to discuss the benefits of immunizations.
In addition to getting your flu shot, remember to practice good hygiene as another safeguard against the flu season.
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