HCMA FORUM ARCHIVE
12-17-2002, 11:10 AM
[echo if no symptoms?]
Author: ann (168.215.142.---)
Date: 03-04-02 14:25
If a parent has been diagnosed with HCM, is it crucial her (adult) children get tested even if they don't have symptoms? This is an issue because in this case, there's no health insurance coverage. Second: The person I know with HCM has been told by her doctor that she's made her heart thicker and worse because of years of heavy exercise when she didn't know she had the condition. She's in her 50s. From what I've read elsewhere on this board, that appears to be misinformation. Is that true?
Thanks.
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[Re: echo if no symptoms?]
Author: Glen (12.37.117.---)
Date: 03-06-02 09:35
I am 52 and was diagnosed over 25 years ago. Moderate exercise has always been been part of my life and with my doctors blessings. I believe it matters whether you have an obstruction or not, I don't and I believe people with obstruction may not be able to exercise or have it greatly limited.
It is extremely important that anyone biologially connected to the person you know get tested, especially their children. This is definetly something handed down from generation to generation.
My symptoms did not start until my early 20s, but some adults do not get any or get them later in life so it is important that they know whether they have it or not so they can take whatever precautions their doctor suggests.
Feel free to e-mail me if you still need more info.
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[Re: echo if no symptoms?]
Author: sarah beckley (---.dsl.mindspring.com)
Date: 03-07-02 02:38
Dear Ann
Welcome.
Those adult children should GET INSURANCE FIRST. I say that in big letters b/c if they do get diagnosed with it, they'll never get insurance on their own ever again. Group coverage through a job or risk pool, but never independant coverage. So that should be their first task, even if they only buy catastrophic coverage. (ehealthinsurance.com is a good place to start.)
Second, my recommendation is to write a letter to the insurance company requesting coverage for the echos. THey will want evidence of medical need, but the doctor should provide that or call the HCMA office for help here. If that fails, talk to the hospital or clinic that does echos directly --often times they will discount the cost up to half or more if you tell them you are paying cash (you should ask for their "self-pay" discount).
Unless the HCM patient has been doing Iron Man or Ms/Mr. Universe-type weight-lifting, it is highly unlikely that she has done a lot of damage. HCM is pretty good at that all by itself, really.
Many people don't have any symptoms, but still have it. I think the "kids" should get tested AFTER they get insurance.
Best of luck
Sarah
Author: ann (168.215.142.---)
Date: 03-04-02 14:25
If a parent has been diagnosed with HCM, is it crucial her (adult) children get tested even if they don't have symptoms? This is an issue because in this case, there's no health insurance coverage. Second: The person I know with HCM has been told by her doctor that she's made her heart thicker and worse because of years of heavy exercise when she didn't know she had the condition. She's in her 50s. From what I've read elsewhere on this board, that appears to be misinformation. Is that true?
Thanks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Re: echo if no symptoms?]
Author: Glen (12.37.117.---)
Date: 03-06-02 09:35
I am 52 and was diagnosed over 25 years ago. Moderate exercise has always been been part of my life and with my doctors blessings. I believe it matters whether you have an obstruction or not, I don't and I believe people with obstruction may not be able to exercise or have it greatly limited.
It is extremely important that anyone biologially connected to the person you know get tested, especially their children. This is definetly something handed down from generation to generation.
My symptoms did not start until my early 20s, but some adults do not get any or get them later in life so it is important that they know whether they have it or not so they can take whatever precautions their doctor suggests.
Feel free to e-mail me if you still need more info.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Re: echo if no symptoms?]
Author: sarah beckley (---.dsl.mindspring.com)
Date: 03-07-02 02:38
Dear Ann
Welcome.
Those adult children should GET INSURANCE FIRST. I say that in big letters b/c if they do get diagnosed with it, they'll never get insurance on their own ever again. Group coverage through a job or risk pool, but never independant coverage. So that should be their first task, even if they only buy catastrophic coverage. (ehealthinsurance.com is a good place to start.)
Second, my recommendation is to write a letter to the insurance company requesting coverage for the echos. THey will want evidence of medical need, but the doctor should provide that or call the HCMA office for help here. If that fails, talk to the hospital or clinic that does echos directly --often times they will discount the cost up to half or more if you tell them you are paying cash (you should ask for their "self-pay" discount).
Unless the HCM patient has been doing Iron Man or Ms/Mr. Universe-type weight-lifting, it is highly unlikely that she has done a lot of damage. HCM is pretty good at that all by itself, really.
Many people don't have any symptoms, but still have it. I think the "kids" should get tested AFTER they get insurance.
Best of luck
Sarah