If no symptoms, are blocker meds really needed?

[gkfalwell]

Our 17 year old daughter had sudden cardiac arrest last November. An ICD was placed but no medication presribed at the time. The doctors at the rehab facility feel that because the cause of the cardiac arrest was diagnosed as HCM, that beta or calcium channel blockers must be given. She does not have any shortness or breath, chest pain, and her blood pressures are normal. The only high heart rates she has shown are when she is having pain in her legs from "tone" at night related to brain injury she is recovering from. She also has Type 1 Diabetes. We want to avoid any unnecessary medications and only treat where there are symptoms. Are we out of line telling the doctors we don't want her on the blockers?

Also looking for good HCM cardiologist in VA/DC/MD area who can take her...

thank you,
Kevin

[Cynaburst]

As have previously suggested, I think that you should seek out Dr. Ted Abraham at Hopkins directly to discuss this issue with him. Beta blockers relax the heart and can possibly prevent the progression of the disease even if there are no symptoms. It might be appropriate to put your daughter on a calcium channel blocker instead. Or, maybe the beta blocker is the right course of action. Please seek out an expert opinion. If you call his office and tell your daughter's story you might be able to get an earlier appt. Or you can keep calling and ask for cancellations.

[LindaSo]

I echo Cyn's thoughts.