Cardiomyopathy and heredity

Posted By  CCF Cardio MD SK on December 29, 1997 at 15:28:35:

In Reply to: Cardiomyopathy and heredity posted by Tom Dobbelaer on December 22, 1997 at 20:10:10:

: I am 38 yrs old and was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in
  October 1997. My younger brother (32) was diagnosed with the same in
  1993.  He also has atrial fibrilations; I had one episiode when I was 29.
  Our father died at age 73 and had dcm as well.  He had many atrial fib
  episodes throughout his life.  
  Our cardiologists (his in NY; mine in Atlanta)say this disease is not
  inhereted.  Both say we probably got this from a virus.  Has there been
  much research done on dcm and heredity?  I find it strange that all 3 of us
  began experiencing serious heart problems at around the same (young) age,
  and while in good health.
  Thank You,
  Tom

[CCF CARDIO MD SK]

_
Dear Tom,
Family history of dilated cardiomyopathy is present in 5-10% of all patients presenting with dilated cardiomyopathy. Many scientists are interested in finding out genetic basis for DCM. In rare forms of DCM, some genetic associations have been made. It is possible that there are many different genotypes manifesting as DCM. In other words, there may be many different genetic