What are some inherited causes of SCD?

[CFS56]

I just found out that my father died of SCD at 39.  Cause of death was listed as cardiac arrest and Vfib.  I also know that my 1st cousin on my fathers side died at the same age and from the same thing.  I had no knowledge of my fathers cause of death until I found his death certificate on ancestry.com, so this is not any info I have shared yet with my cardiologist.  Considering the problems I have with SVT, afib and PVCs, this is kinda scaring me.  From what little research I have done today it seems with all the tests I have had, if I had either long QT or Brudguda Syndrome, somebody should have seen something by now?  I have had countless EKGs, several echos, holter monitors and a stress test.  I am also 60 years old.  Are there other inherited causes of SCD besides the 2 I mentioned?  Aren't they usually diagnosed with EKG or holter monitors?

[itdood]

One more thing about death certificates, they can be wrong and not  come close to a root cause.

[CFS56]

I looked at it more closely last night and they didn't do an autopsy.  So they have no real idea what happened.  After the info I got from my mom and the fact that no autopsy was done, think I just need to quit worrying about it.  Thanks for the help.

[itdood]

p.s., did your father smoke?   If he smoked, I'm going with myocardial infarction for his "SCD".  

[CFS56]

Like a chimney.  And my mom said he abused narcotic pain killers too.  I was only 6 when they divorced so I don't remember a whole lot.

[itdood]

long QT syndrome, and ARVD are the two I can think of.

[CFS56]

Thanks for the info.  I do plan to tell my cardiologist about this when I see him next week,

[researcher09]

Brugada is predominantly afflict males so while it is possible based upon your family history however your odds of affected by it are much lower because you are female.  Nevertheless, I suggest telling your EP about your family history of SCD at young ages.  It is very unusual for the first ischemic heart attack at an young age to result in SCD.  EKG by itself doesn't always detect Brugada, you need a stimulant (via IV) in many cases as well as EKG.  The other possibility could be HOCM and that could be measured on 3D echocardiography, as is myopathy.  I doubt it is HOCM since you have SVT, AF and PVCs because those rhythms are not a result of HOCM but they could be an indication of an inherited condition.  So please talk with your cardiologist and EP about further diagnosis ASAP.

[MichelleP_3811]

That should have read undiagnosed cardiomyopathy.  

[MichelleP_3811]

I think in younger people it is diagnosed cardiomyopathy that causes sudden death.  Severe valve disease is another possible reason but the fact that you have made it to 60 without it likely means you didn't inherit a fatal issue though you may want to consider trying to at least correct the svt.  Svt is generally caused by being born with some extra muscle fiber so a congenital issue but not one that is life threatening though over time it can wear out the heart if it becomes frequent.  Frequent episodes of svt will irritate the heart and cause you to have more pvcs and possibly be a trigger for the afib as well.  Correcting one issue may help alleviate some of the other issues.  I know afib may be difficult to ablate but certain svts are quite easy to ablate.  Have you tried to have yours ablated?  Other than that keep your bp stable and watch your diet to prevent clogged arteries and you will give your heart the best chance of longevity.

[CFS56]

I'm scheduled for ablation Dec 28th.

[is_something_wrong]

The major cause of SCD is without doubt coronary artery disease (heart attacks).

The chance of having Brugada syndrome, Long QT or other ion channel disorders after repeated negative test results is almost non-existing.