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Telltale hearts

Nature Medicine volume 19, pages 1361–1364 (2013)Cite this article

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Each year, tens of thousands of young people worldwide die suddenly after their hearts stop beating for no apparent reason. Genetic testing for inherited heart rhythm disorders can potentially offer grief-stricken family members an explanation for the loss of their loved ones and provide actionable diagnostic information to help them avoid the same fate. And yet, such 'molecular autopsies' are rarely performed by the forensic experts who investigate unexplained deaths. Jeanne Erdmann meets the medical professionals who are trying to change that.

Tipton sent her father to the house to check up on Shannon, saying not to call her unless it was bad. He called and said, “It's the worst.” Huber was lying in bed motionless, arms folded over his chest, his torso tipped toward the floor. The 17-year-old had died at some point during the previous night, and for a long time nobody could figure out why.

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  1. Jeanne Erdmann is a science writer based in Wentzville, Missouri. Reporting for this story was supported by a fellowship from the Association of Health Care Journalists, with assistance from the Commonwealth Fund.,

    Jeanne Erdmann

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  1. Jeanne Erdmann
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Erdmann, J. Telltale hearts. Nat Med 19, 1361–1364 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1113-1361

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