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Hello and new to the group with HOCM diagnosis
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (25)Comment receiving replies
@margieinsb I don't know how to share this, so I'll just say it. My 47 year old son has hcm but caught it very early. They are now monitoring him and me at an hcm clinic. Please encourage your sons to find out. Also, if they have hcm and have kids, the kids need testing too. Kids did NOT Inherit it here. It's a 50/50 roll of the dice. But my son has it and is being seen regularly by cardio. He is asymptomatic. Early detection saves lives, for kids too. Mom worries. Never ends, huh? We didn't know we inherited it, but we did. If not for your sons, for the sake of any grandkids, they need to know. Really important.
Replies to "@margieinsb I don't know how to share this, so I'll just say it. My 47 year..."
@dp80 and @margieinsb Your conversation together has been so mutually supportive and helpful! This last part about your family - have either of you considered genetic testing? If your "naughty" gene is among those known to cause HCM, all blood relatives can be tested to see if they have the gene. Those who have it can be monitored with necessary treatment if/when needed. Those who do not, need not worry about it. Now, after my septal myectomy, I was tested and my "naughty" gene was not among those known to cause HCM. It just has not been discovered yet. Therefore, my son and grandson get echoes on a regular basis, my grandson more often because he is a teenager. Here is an article that you may choose to read to learn more about genetic testing. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/healthy-heart/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy-which-screenings-do-i-need-and-how-often/ (Scroll down to find the genetic testing part)
@mandysue This is more information to process! Yes, this can be overwhelming, I assure you that in due time you will process it all! I am so very glad to read that you are going to a COE, you and your heart deserve the very best! It is so, so important that your cardiologist is very well versed in HCM. You may even decide to transfer your cardiology care to the COE.
We are fortunate, indeed, to live in times where HCM for most of us is a controlled chronic disease and we are leading our best active lives.
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@dp80 you are 100 percent correct and O will keep encouraging my sons to have an echocardiogram.
They are grown men and we are blessed with five grandchildren. My sons have the obligation to make that decision. I will keep encouraging them. Thank you again. I will talk to their wives to see if they will help facilitate appropriate next steps.
Best, Margie