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high blood pressure induced hcm

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  • #1

    high blood pressure induced hcm

    Hi, I have an aunt that was told her high blood pressure caused her hcm, even with the knowledge of hcm being in the family she was still told this.
    Is there some way of knowing the difference? She has indeed had uncontrolable high blood pressure for years and she didn't take good care of it(not taking meds etc). But how do they know its not the genetic type?

    Thanks all
    Pam
    It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

    Dx in Feb/99. Obstructed. No ICD, no surgeries, no family history. 2 sons ages 14 and 6.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: high blood pressure induced hcm

    Hi Pam,
    I may be all wet, but I think the difference is that true HCM is the genetic type. However, long periods of overworking the heart, either by high blood pressure or physical activity can produce a condition called ‘Athletic’ heart where the heart muscles thicken also. With an Athletic heart the cells are aligned, while the cells of an HCM heart are in disarray.

    With HCM in the family, and without expensive genetic testing, I don’t know how the doctor was able tell the difference. (I would hope they wouldn’t consider an autopsy on a living patient.) A number of us, including myself, were told as children that we had athletic hearts and a murmur. (My parents were assured that I would grow out of it.)

    Well, many years ago my growth switched from vertical to horizontal, but I’m still waiting to outgrow it. In August I’ll turn 72, and quite frankly I think my chances of outgrowing it have now become quite slim. (That is, my chances have become slim.)

    I hope that answers your question, and more to the point, I hope it’s the right answer.
    Burt

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    • #3
      Re: high blood pressure induced hcm

      Hypertension causes hypertophy - but it is NOT HCM. I would suggest you have a specialist look at yours and her records to evaluate what is really goin on. Those with HCM can have hypertesion as well and thereby it can be very hard to know what is going on...however hypertension normally creates a specific pattern of hypertrophy that is rather different than HCM.

      It sounds like HCM to me.

      Lisa
      Knowledge is power ... Stay informed!
      YOU can make a difference - all you have to do is try!

      Dx age 12 current age 46 and counting!
      lost: 5 family members to HCM (SCD, Stroke, CHF)
      Others diagnosed living with HCM (or gene +) include - daughter, niece, nephew, cousin, sister and many many friends!
      Therapy - ICD (implanted 97, 01, 04 and 11, medication
      Currently not obstructed
      Complications - unnecessary pacemaker and stroke (unrelated to each other)

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      • #4
        Re: high blood pressure induced hcm

        Thanks Lisa, I kind-a thought there was some way to now tell the difference. (And a better name for Athletic Heart.) Unfortunately, like HCM itself, the specifics are obviously still unknown to many doctors.
        Burt

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