Clean echo & pregnant, questions.

[summerof722003]

My father has HCM. I had an echo last year, after we learned of his condition, and it came back normal. I was told three things are possible: 1, I do not have HCM. 2, I have it, but have not yet expressed symptoms (I am in mid-30s). or 3, I carry the gene for it but will not develop it myself.

I am now pregnant with my first child. I plan to have another echo later in the pregnancy, to see if anything has changed.

Can anyone answer the following questions?:
Given that I have no symptoms and had one normal echo, am I fairly likely not to develop symptoms of the condition during pregnancy? Can I consider myself not to have inherited HCM? Last, are there any precautions that should be taken during the pregnancy, EVEN IF the second echo comes back clear, just because of the family history?

My doctor is familiar with HCM and seems confident that there is nothing to worry about, but then again, he is not a cardiologist.
Thanks.

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: Clean echo & pregnant, questions.

My father has HCM. I had an echo last year, after we learned of his condition, and it came back normal. I was told three things are possible: 1, I do not have HCM. 2, I have it, but have not yet expressed symptoms (I am in mid-30s). or 3, I carry the gene for it but will not develop it myself.

Not really - - 1. yes you may not have the gene and therefore will not get HCM. 2. Yes you may have the gene and may express it later in life.
3. Yes, you may carry the gene and not express it, though this seems to be very rare.

I am now pregnant with my first child. I plan to have another echo later in the pregnancy, to see if anything has changed.

Changes will not likely take place quickly. If you had an echo with in the past year - you should be OK - - I can see why you will want to check ( I would too if I were you) but I do not think you will see anything change.

Can anyone answer the following questions?:
Given that I have no symptoms and had one normal echo, am I fairly likely not to develop symptoms of the condition during pregnancy?

See above...

Can I consider myself not to have inherited HCM?

Sorry Not Yet

Last, are there any precautions that should be taken during the pregnancy, EVEN IF the second echo comes back clear, just because of the family history?

Let the doctors who are caring for you and the baby know the history and that should be all you need to do at this time.

My doctor is familiar with HCM and seems confident that there is nothing to worry about, but then again, he is not a cardiologist.

have a great Pregnacy and a happy / healthy Baby!

Lisa

[Sarah]

Re: Clean echo & pregnant, questions.

Hi,

I just wanted to say 1. Congrats!! and 2. Congrats on a clean echo. 3. As Lisa said, it is super-duper rare that your children would have HCM if you didn't. 4. The odds are also highly in your favor that since you are still clean in your mid-30s that you will stay that way.

Have a great baby!

S