Faith’s Story

With a son diagnosed with HCM, genetic testing reveals others in the family also have the genetic marker for HCM.

I am 49 years old and I was diagnosed at 46 through genetic testing, currently I have no symptoms or medicine. My son has HCM, he is currently 9 yrs. old, diagnosed at 6 months of age, and he had a myectomy at 6 yrs. of age. He currently takes Atenolol 50 mm daily, had genetic testing. His younger brother is clear of the gene that causes HCM. My brother also has HCM he is 46 years old and diagnosed at 36 yrs. of age through an echocardiogram, no genetic testing. My uncle died of a heart condition that took his life at the age of 26 in the1961.

I feel extremely fortunate to have the knowledge of our family heart history. 

We have always been very aware that heart problems have existed in our family. We simply adjusted our life style to accommodate the problems. It was not until I had a son with a severe heart problem (HCM) that we were able to realize what exactly the problems were and why things happened the way they did.

I do not like this diagnosis one bit, but I would rather know about this disease and hit it head on, attacking it rather than to sit in a corner and let it control my life. Knowledge is power to me. I want to be able to make conscientious decisions based on my knowledge of this disease rather than to be caught off guard by it and then have to live with the consequences the rest of my life. Would of, should of, could of's are a whole lot worse than I know, I understand, I can, I will … Again Knowledge is Power. 

The result of not knowing or doing anything about it will cause you a lifetime of worry and regret. I cannot deal with that. I still worry every day but it is with the power of knowledge and understanding, that I can move forward to a better tomorrow without fear in dealing with this disease. Moreover, of course, a little FAITH thrown in there always helps.