OBJECTIVES: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a genetically determined heart muscle disease associated with arrhythmia, heart failure and sudden death often being the first manifestation in probands. The aim of the study was to evaluate the costs of diagnosis of the disease in asymptomatic relatives in Poland. METHODS: A total of 239 asymptomatic subjects (mean age 35 yeas, 120 men) belonging to 42 families affected with ARVC were examined between May 2003 and May 2005. The costs of out-patients visit and additional diagnostic tests were included. Payer perspective was used. RESULTS: In all individuals electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiography were performed. Magnetic resonance imaging and signal averaged electrocardiogram were performed in 35 patients suspected of having ARVC. The diagnostic criteria for ARVC were detected in 29 patients and 57 subjects fulfilled the borderline criteria for ARVC. Total costs of screening amounted to €13,086.35. The average cost per one case of ARVC detected was €451.25. CONCLUSIONS: Costs of early detection of ARVC in individuals with a family history of the disease are low and enable the family screening in asymptomatic subjects in Poland.