Disclaimer: Patient details have been anonymised to protect patient privacy
Meet Sean.
Sean wasn’t sick. He was living a healthy, active life - exercising regularly, attending routine check-ups, and feeling well.
Although Sean knew there were heart problems in his family, nothing about the history clearly suggested an inherited condition. His grandfather’s death in a motor vehicle accident meant the underlying risk wasn’t obvious.
Preventative testing gave him clarity - before a health event ever occurred.
What made the difference wasn’t the presence of symptoms.
It was Sean’s decision to understand his genetic risk early, rather than waiting for warning signs to appear.
Doing everything right for your health doesn’t mean you’re not at risk.
Like many people, Sean appeared the picture of good health:
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Good fitness
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Normal medical check-ups
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No warning signs
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No symptoms
From the outside, there was nothing to suggest a serious health risk.
But some conditions - particularly inherited heart rhythm disorders - don’t show up in day-to-day life until a major trigger appears.
Why Sean chose preventative genetic testing
Sean underwent preventative genetic testing through Eugene, not because something was wrong, but because he wanted clarity about his long-term health risks.
This kind of testing uncovers inherited genetic risks early, often before symptoms appear - and the results are actionable, meaning you can take steps to manage your health with confidence.
For Sean, that decision proved life-changing.
What the test revealed
Sean’s results identified a genetic variant associated with an inherited heart rhythm condition, known as Long QT Syndrome type 1 (LQT1).
This condition can increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm events - often without any prior warning signs.
Importantly:
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Around 6% of people carry a genetic variant linked to a heart condition
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Approximately one-third of those individuals are at increased risk of serious cardiac events
Without genetic insight, these risks often go unnoticed until a trigger - such as certain medications, extreme exertion, or physiological stress - causes a sudden event.
What changed once Sean knew
Knowing his genetic risk didn’t create fear - it enabled informed prevention.
With guidance from Eugene’s clinical team, Sean was able to:
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Avoid medications known to increase cardiac risk
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Take caution with triggers such as ice baths and seek expert advice regarding intense cardio
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Begin early management strategies that dramatically reduce risk
These are interventions that are simple, effective - and only possible if risk is identified early.
As Sean put it: “Eugene literally saved my life.”
Why this story matters
Sean’s experience highlights a critical truth about preventative health:
Not all health risks show up as symptoms.
Preventative genetic testing isn’t about fear, or optimising for the sake of it. It’s about using evolving technology to understand risks early so you can protect your future health.
Why this story matters for your health journey
Some risks are invisible, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be managed.
- Serious inherited risks can exist even if you feel healthy.
- Routine check-ups don’t always reveal genetic conditions.
- Early insight gives you the chance to take simple, effective steps to protect your health.
- Knowledge helps you make safer choices - both in your lifestyle and medical care.
Prevention starts before symptoms appear
Sean didn’t wait for a warning sign.
He looked ahead, and that choice gave him control over his future.
You can do the same.
Learn more about preventative genetic testing and see the heart genes we screen for.
