Should my family do genetic testing

[JustWantToKnow]

How concerned should I be about my echo report and based on my family history below should we have genetic testing?

July echocardiogram stated:

• Mild asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy
• Mildly dilated right ventricle
• Mild Aortic regurgitation
• Mild Mital regurgitation
• Trivial Tricuspid regurgitation
• EF 55-60%
• No wall motion abnormalities noted.  


July - Holter monitor
• Frequent ventricular ectopic beats
• 37 supraventricular ectopic beats
• Isolated PACs
• Couple PACs
• One 5 beat atrial tachycardia at 150 bpm
• Lowest heart rate 43 bpm
• During maximum sinus rate there was some mild, fairly horizontal or slightly down sloping ST segment depression.  
• Myocardial ischemia could be considered.I have extensive family history of cardiac disease.  

Maternal grandfather - sudden death - MI early 40s
Maternal aunt  - sudden death - MI early 40s, after several MIs
Maternal uncle - sudden death - MI early 40s, after several MIs
Mother - sudden death - MI 72 - numerous MIs and 2 CABGs - left ventricle hypertrophy - right ventricle dilated - HF

Brother - HF - CABG at age 56, angioplasties - 2nd recommended 18 mos. later (his children have ASD or VSD)
Brother - MI, CABG at age 45
Brother - MI w/30% damage at age 32 - "timing" problems
Sister - MIs began at 39 - too many stents to remember, HF, defibrillator -  now 46 years old

Father - MI complications of perforated colon during colonoscopy
Grandfather - sudden death - MI 62

Son - age 41 had an MI, was resuscitated and transported - received 4 stents

Daughter - 35 has had on going trouble with arrhythmia

Thank you for your insight!

[JustWantToKnow]

My cardiologist said to see my pulmonologist.  My pulmonologist said see my cardiologist.

I have an air diffusion of 51% unexplained.  

I never have enough oxygen!

[JustWantToKnow]

Hi,

Thanks for your comments.

I am very symptomatic.  I am waking from a sound sleep with chest pain but I don't know why.  Lots of heart discomfort whenever I stand or walk.

I am concerned about these 2 items on my echo

• Mild asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy
• Mildly dilated right ventricle

These are inherited.  My mother died from complications with these.


I have excellent cholesterol, HDL, LDL.  I have been vigilant because of my family.

I am never around cigarette smoke.  I am a purist!  

I am a very mellow person so these symptoms are confusing!

Thanks for any insight you have.

[Momto3]

I am not a doctor, but your echocardiogram results indicate some mild anomolies, but nothing serious.  Trivial or mild regurgitation is very common especially given the high tech capabilities of modern medical equipment.  An EF of 55-60% is excellent!

The Holter monitor results look good.  The two things I'm not sure about are the comment, "mild, fairly horizontal or slightly down sloping ST segment depression.  And...."Myocardial ischemia could be considered."  However these issues may have been ruled out as problems with the echo....  

Your family history is significant and with that in mind, it would seem your doctor would be closely watching cholesterol and other risk factors (smoking, diet, exercise).

Are you symptomatic?  Is sounds as though you have had a good workup..what does your doctor say?