Kinda Freaking Out...(Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy)

I just found out I might have Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy...it's hereditary: my aunt has it, and a bunch of people from that side of the family have had sudden cardiac death; not all of them had autopsies, we just assumed they were from heart attacks. But, now I'm thinking this might be the culprit.

In any case, I've had heart problems for the past ten years that have steadily been getting worse; I have an irregular heartbeat, fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting, etceteras; the doctors always told me it was Mitral Valve Prolapse which is a relatively benign condition. But in my opinion, 'benign conditions' don't usually exhibit the severity of the symptoms I've had, so I never really beleived them.

I just hope Cardiomyopathy is not what it is, because surgery, pacemakers, heart transplants, etc are what are required for that (or a host of medications, which I also don't want to do); none of that sounds like fun, especially considering the fact that only the heart transplant would lower my chances of death; the rest would just alleviate symptoms. Aaaah!

I wish I could solve this with lifestyle, but it's a structural heart defect; there's not really much I can do at all! I'm at the doctors' mercy!

Does anyone else have this or know anyone who does? Just curious...I find out Wednesday what the deal is. Until then I just get to worry. ;-) Thanks for listenin'!

When it comes to illnesses, people can have very different experiences depending on the other factors in their life... age, pre-existing conditions, fitness, etc.  Your situation will be unique to you in some respect and so it's probably best if you wait until Wednesday and talk to the people dealing with your individual case.  Then you'll get the very best advice applicable to you personally and won't have the waters muddied by well-meant but possibly inaccurate comparisons.