Genetics

When I go back to Cleveland in September I will be seeing a doctor for Genetics Counseling. This is what I have found out so far from them in a packet they sent me.


Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common hereditary cardiomyopathy and may affect approximately 1 in 500 individuals. HCM is characterized by thickening of the heart muscle. It usually affects the left ventricle and often involves the septum (the muscle that divides the left and right sides of the heart). The thickening can cause stiffness and makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood. Obstruction of the opening and closing of the heart valves may occur.

Symptoms:
 -shortness of breath usually following exercise
-chest pain
-palpitations
-dizziness or syncope (passing out)


How it is inherited
In many cases HCM is an inherited condition; it is generally inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Autosomal means it affects males and females equally. Dominant means that only one of the two copies of the gene needs to work improperly in order to develop the disease. A gene is part of our genetic material that contains instructions for our bodies. Humans have two copies of almost every gene. Many genes have been identified that cause HCM. children of people with HCM have a 50% of possible developing the gene.