Just wondering....very curious

[Kats Contributor-in-Training Find all posts View Profile Close Kats]

Hi everyone,

Well I am booked in to have an echo and an EKG on the 4th of feburaray in the local hospital. What I am wondering is what are the chances or rather the probability of me having HCM, my mother having had it and my grandmother (my mother died). I know you are probably thinking don't think about it and just go in and have the tests done, but I am one of those people who likes to know what are the chances, what are my risks etc. I have not had any noticeable symptoms apart from sometimes feeling like my heart skips a beat now and then or being out of breath after doing exercise which I just put down to being unfit. There was a moment in time where I would do exercise and then feel like I was going to pass out but that has passed.

Thanks to whoever might be able to give me an idea.

Kats

[Largehearted Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Largehearted]

Hi Kats.

As I understand it there is a statistical chance of 50% that if your mother had HCM you could also have HCM. Our prayer is that this will not be the case. Even if you do not show the signs of HCM right now, please continue to get yourself checked periodically. HCM can show up later in life. I wish you the best.

Peace,

Leon

[Sarah Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close Sarah]

The odds

Dear Kats,

Yes, HCM is autosomal dominant, which means that you only need one gene to get it --the odds are 50/50 that you'll get the gene b/c it is not sex-linked (the mutation is not on the x or y chromosome).

The fact that you've already had symptoms is also a sign that you may have it. Dizzyness and that fact that you've lost your mom are strong indications that it is very important that you get evaluated for an ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) once you have had your echo.

Also, if you don't have any life insurance, buy it NOW before the tests; try for a policy that lets you buy more coverage later without proving health (Northwestern Mutual used to sell this and may still).

Keep us posted and I hope you are able to see a specialist, too.

take care,

Sarah

[Tom Scott Contributor-in-Training Find all posts View Profile Close Tom Scott]

Lots of Unknowns

Treat it real seriously if there is sudden death in your family history.

If you do not have sudden death in the family, there are plenty of other issues with HCM that need to be monitored so its pretty important to have an echo cardiogram regardless. The good news is that lots of it is treatable,

I have a relatively thick septum as well as many of my family members, but no sudden death. However, some of us had a fib, short v-tach etc. Most of this including the worse is treatable. I received treatment (beta blockers and calcium channel blockers) in the early days of diagnosing HCM 1974 and have taken them since. I have done better than all my other family members (thankfully their getting treatment now). Life insurance is bear and the previous post has some smart ideas. Good luck

[Lisa Salberg HCMA CEO and Founder Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa Salberg]

Kats,
Your chance is 50/50. Make sure you look at the screening page for all the information you need on screenings now and in the future.

Tom Scott - How the heck are you! Long time since we have heard from you! I hope all is well!


Lisa

[Kats Contributor-in-Training Find all posts View Profile Close Kats]

Hi!

Just to let you know I spent 3 hours today having an echo, a ECG and what not (including being hooked up and running on a treadmill for 1/2 hour) and there are NO SIGNS of HCM!!!!!! The doctor was pretty confident that I won't develope it either since I am 21 and my mother died when she was 36. Anyways I have to go back in 5 years but I am happy to say that for the moment I am clear although they still can't explain why sometimes I feel dizzy or get palpitations when I do exercise.

Have a good weekend everyone! and thanks for all your support!

Kats

[Reenie Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Reenie]

Yay!!! I'm glad that you're clear! Take care and pop in when you can.

Reenie

[Abbygirl2 Barely Heart Find all posts View Profile Close Abbygirl2]

Thats terrific!!!!! Glad to hear the great news!!

Best of Luck to you.
Pam

[shirleymahoney Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close shirleymahoney]

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

on not having it as of yet, just keep on top of things and enjoy life


Shirley

[Pam Alexson Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Pam Alexson]

Great news and best wishes to you.

Pam