Hereditary Heart Disease?

[Philipa__0]

  My mother has Wolf Parkinson White Syndrome, I have Lown Ganong Levine Syndrome (35yrs old) and I am concerned for my children should this be hereditary. My 9 year old son had an echo and ECG done because of suspected Rheumatic Fever, all clear except a left axis deviation, which the cardiologist said should not be a problem. However since then he has had 2 episodes, one when he apparently 'passed out' during a cross country event at school - he was found on the ground having breathing difficulties and disorientated. The other time he was playing soccer and felt dizzy and breathless. Can't tell me whether he felt any funny heart sensations and I wasn't there both times to take his pulse. At eight he had a normal PR interval, can this change or does it not always show up that young?, or each ECG? Do you think he is at any risk? I am quite concerned as my problems have been severe and required lots of treatment, including a pacemaker. Because he saw a cardiologist incidentally last year I sort of feel overprotective taking him back, as he basically said no problems (although he hadn't had these episodes yet. My doctor says left axis deviation is abnormal in children) Please offer me some advice and explain why he would have this axis thing if he doesnt have conduction problems?

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

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Dear Philipa,
Neither of the syndromes you mention are proven to be 'hereditary' although many of these syndromes can be found more frequently in certain other disease states or with specific anatomical/structural abnormalities of the heart they can be more likely to occur. In summary, these syndromes can occur in and of themselves or can be associated with another disease state, but are not inheited as far as we know.
Now on to the more important issue, your son's symptoms sound serious and warrant another evaluation.  Sometimes young athletes get dehydrated easily, sometimes they have a wirey autonomic nervous system and this makes them get dizzi and pass out(vasodepressor syncope), but until seen by a cardiologist one can not say whether or not this is actually a dangerous situation.  You are absolutely correct in stating that these symptoms are new since he last was evaluated and this is why he should seek another evaluation.
Axis deviation in a young person with a normal structured heart is simply due to the way that the heart lies in the chest and
because the original ecgs were performed and standardized in middle aged males.  Axis and conduction are two separate enities, and simply put the axis is the direction in which the conduction of the rhythm occurs.
In conclusion, take your son to the cardiologist because until you do, no one can say whether or not he is 'at risk'.  Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only, actual
diagnosis and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).