Hi all,
First of all, I would like to thank you all for creating a community for people to help understand this disease.
I am a Police Officer in Australia and have been for around 6 years. In October 2012 I had an episode where I got a little light headed after drinking a cold glass of soft drink and something to eat. As a result I lost my balance and fell over for a brief second. I was fine afterwards and went about things as normal. I decided to go and have a check up with my local GP and everything was fine, however, he did say to go and get a further check at the hospital just to make sure as I don't have history of fainting. I went into the hospital and they did an ECG and took blood tests etc. Everything came back fine, however, the ECG displayed as abnormal. So they kept me in for a week and did further testing to work out what was going on. I had more blood tests, EKG and an Angiogram, all good. They then sent me to another hospital where they did the same tests (except the Angio, thank god) and likewise the tests were ok. I had an Cardiac MRI which showed mild asymmetrical thickening to the left vertical of 1.7mm. I completed a stress test and all ok. As a result of testing, they finally released me saying the syncope was not related to my heart, however, we suspect you have a mild case of HOCM. They then arranged for further consultation with the specialist and as of writing this report, I am still going through consultations and testing. I have an EP study coming up at the end of the month to see if HOCM is causing the abnormal beat or if the abnormal beat is from the electrics side of things.
I have been going through "**** and back" with my specialist and my employer (Police) trying to get clearance to go back to work as the doctor won't sign me off totally saying "I can't tick that off, as something COULD happen if you were to over exert yourself". He ended up telling my work I would be at 0 to 5% risk of anything happening whilst working. (I would think a lot of people would have this risk factor eg People with High blood pressure, diabetics, Asthmatics and overweight people. Even crossing a busy road).
My problem is, I don't have any symptoms. My LVEF is 72%. I ride my bike approx: 70 to 90 kilometres a week with no problem. I wear a Heart Rate Monitor whilst riding and doing any type of exercise because of all this, and it is good to know what my heart is doing so I can monitor it. My maximum heart rate has only gone to 168bpm.
My specialist seems to generalise with things and doesn't seem to assess MY situation and as a result I am still on light duties and this could possibly end my career as a police officer. I have no one in the family with HOCM, nor have I had anyone pass away suddenly. I am on a waiting list for Genetics Testing to see if I have any of the gene mutations for HOCM.
I would really like to hear from people in the same boat as me. Police officers, Ambulance Officers, Emergency Service Officers and Defence Force personel. Even people who have knowledge of a similar situation
To myself.
Any information would be greatly appreciated that could assist my case and get me back to normal.
Thanks in advance....
First of all, I would like to thank you all for creating a community for people to help understand this disease.
I am a Police Officer in Australia and have been for around 6 years. In October 2012 I had an episode where I got a little light headed after drinking a cold glass of soft drink and something to eat. As a result I lost my balance and fell over for a brief second. I was fine afterwards and went about things as normal. I decided to go and have a check up with my local GP and everything was fine, however, he did say to go and get a further check at the hospital just to make sure as I don't have history of fainting. I went into the hospital and they did an ECG and took blood tests etc. Everything came back fine, however, the ECG displayed as abnormal. So they kept me in for a week and did further testing to work out what was going on. I had more blood tests, EKG and an Angiogram, all good. They then sent me to another hospital where they did the same tests (except the Angio, thank god) and likewise the tests were ok. I had an Cardiac MRI which showed mild asymmetrical thickening to the left vertical of 1.7mm. I completed a stress test and all ok. As a result of testing, they finally released me saying the syncope was not related to my heart, however, we suspect you have a mild case of HOCM. They then arranged for further consultation with the specialist and as of writing this report, I am still going through consultations and testing. I have an EP study coming up at the end of the month to see if HOCM is causing the abnormal beat or if the abnormal beat is from the electrics side of things.
I have been going through "**** and back" with my specialist and my employer (Police) trying to get clearance to go back to work as the doctor won't sign me off totally saying "I can't tick that off, as something COULD happen if you were to over exert yourself". He ended up telling my work I would be at 0 to 5% risk of anything happening whilst working. (I would think a lot of people would have this risk factor eg People with High blood pressure, diabetics, Asthmatics and overweight people. Even crossing a busy road).
My problem is, I don't have any symptoms. My LVEF is 72%. I ride my bike approx: 70 to 90 kilometres a week with no problem. I wear a Heart Rate Monitor whilst riding and doing any type of exercise because of all this, and it is good to know what my heart is doing so I can monitor it. My maximum heart rate has only gone to 168bpm.
My specialist seems to generalise with things and doesn't seem to assess MY situation and as a result I am still on light duties and this could possibly end my career as a police officer. I have no one in the family with HOCM, nor have I had anyone pass away suddenly. I am on a waiting list for Genetics Testing to see if I have any of the gene mutations for HOCM.
I would really like to hear from people in the same boat as me. Police officers, Ambulance Officers, Emergency Service Officers and Defence Force personel. Even people who have knowledge of a similar situation
To myself.
Any information would be greatly appreciated that could assist my case and get me back to normal.
Thanks in advance....
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