Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in both my children? HELP

[mrsboston3122]

I posted last night about my 8 year old daughter having palpations. I took her to the ER and they did not even take an EKG. They hooked her to a monitor where it said she went from sinus rhythm to SV rhythm constantly changing, she was having PVCS and PACS. They just told us to follow up with her doctor which we did today. He sent her for an EKG today and his office called me 20 minutes ago to tell me to not allow her to participate in any sports and such that her EKG was abnormal. I got her an appointment with a cardio but its not till the end of next week. They told me her EKG read LVH and something else but they would notify the cardio about.

2 months ago my 11 year old son had a routine EKG so he could be placed on medication for ADHD, he is also autistic and we needed a little help. They refused the meds because he EKG also showed LVH. I made him an appointment for the cardio and its one day after my daughters even though I made it months ago it was all they had. My son told me last night that sometimes his heart does what my daughters does while he is in bed but that he thought it was normal and thats why he did not say anything about it.

My daughter told me before we took her to the ER that her heart was going fast and it hurt, that she was a little dizzy. She said it felt like a basketball in her chest and when I touched her chest I could feel it to...

I am worried because both of my children have had EKGS showing this. I too have arrythmias, so it worries me that my little 8 year old has this happening to her. She is so brave:) I freak out but she is so calm while it happens.

I am investigating my fathers family because both he and his father died one year age difference in their ealry 50s suddenly. I never met him so I dont know the reason and his family tells me that they dont know either. I am trying to get the autopsy report but its hard because they say I need to go through surrogate court and I also can not show any proof that he was my father. He is not on my birth record, I dont have his last name and he never showed up for 3 appointments made for DNA testing. He did not accept me and walked out on my mother. No one on my mothers side of the family has heart problems. Mostly cancer running there.

I myself have SVT, Pacs and PVCS. I have been recently dealing with pre-syncope episodes, and have no idea whats causing them.

Anyway, I am worried for my daughter. Does anyone know anything about LVH....

Thanks

[Mom2four85]

I get annoyed at dr's period - they lack alot of things that patients need - like 5 minutes to explain things; not reading test results, overlooking things; stereotyping patients instead of treating us as individuals - it's better to be safe with things of the heart just in case - and miss something like they did with me.

[is_something_wrong]

I really get upset when reading your post!

I can't understand why your doctor tells you that both your children has LVH without even explaining what LVH is!

And more important:
You can't make the LVH diagnosis based on an EKG. Especially not regarding children. The LVH "diagnosis" on EKG is based on how tall the EKG spikes are, and the formulas are made for adults >35 years, with significantly thicker chest walls (more space between electrodes and heart), and even in adults, the diagnosis must be confirmed by echocardiography.

My EKGs always indicate LVH. My echocardiography does not. When the cardiologist looks at my EKG, he sais: This is a normal phenomenon in young adults, especially if you are a little nervous (I guess the heart "fires" a little harder then).

Of course nothing can be ruled out, and you are completely right to see a cardiologist, I just get so annoyed when I read that doctors throw out a diagnosis without explaining it, especially if it's not necessarily correct.

[Jerry_NJ]

So sorry I don't have a magic something to give you and your children.  The only thing I can add to what has already been said, is somehow for you to remain calm, and reassuring any way you can.  I believe you are doing everything you can, and the fact the doctors have allowed that your children continue in their "normal" life except for no physical exertion.  I think you can take that into your mind and share it with your daughter to try to help calm her.  I am sure your medical advice would have taken immediate action if they believed there was any immediate danger.

[mrsboston3122]

Yeah I called her dr and left a message for him to call me back if he can.. I feel so helpless, she keeps telling me and I know she expects me help her or know the answers, but I dont and I feel awful!

[Mom2four85]

If you're unsure, certainly call the dr and let them know.

I'd still get a copy of the reports to read for myself - especially not knowing what exactly is wrong and she's having the episodes again

btw sv means supra ventricle i.e. above the ventricles; quite a few articles and dr's responses here on that also that may help.

[mrsboston3122]

Both my children see the same doctor and he has both the ekgs, he said the only thing that is the same is the LVH, my daughter is having another issue in addition to the LVH. In fact when they called me not that long ago they told me the both were on restriction and that they would fax something to the school. I have my daughter laying in my bed now and she keeps telling me her heart is doing it again, I dont know if I should take her back to the ER or what I should do at this point.

[Mom2four85]

I am so sorry to hear this, you really have been bombarded with some major stressors latley :(  please take care of yourself.

I would fax or mail a request for those records and your son's - see if there are any similarities.  You may want to have a copy of your son's when you take your daughter so you can talk to the cardiologist and he/she can look at that also and vice versa for his appt.  

It may be beneficial with what you've said, to see a genetic specialists such as Mayo or Cleveland Clinc - some regular cardiologists miss or overlook genetic things; which I've been told is very easy.

LVH - Left ventricular hypertrophy is a thickening of the wall of the heart's main pumping chamber. This thickening may result in elevation of pressure within the heart and sometimes poor pumping action. The most common cause is high blood pressure, but there are genetic causes also - and depends on what type it is and what is causing it(echo and MRI will be needed to be conclusive) - I have Concentric LVH.

Here's Mayo clinic info: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/left-ventricular-hypertrophy/DS00680/DSECTION=causes

Also, you can google it or try up top in the Med Help search box and find tons of info =)