I just learned that due to a genetic defect, members of my mother's side of the family are prone to developing this condition. I am being urged to get tested for the condition myself, and I am currently waiting on the results from my mother's blood test and other tests (I assume EKG) to see if she is affected.

I have done some preliminary research which suggests the FAA will only issue a 3rd class medical to persons with this condition. I am in my early 30's, I have been a medium distance runner for many years and am asymptomatic, at least to the best of my knowledge. That said...

I am kind of freaking out. Several of my cousins have found out they have this disease/defect. It apparently doesn't cause most people problems until later in life, unless of course they need a 1st class medical to go to work.

If anyone has first hand experience with this condition and obtaining a 1st class medical please PM me. I am not on this board much anymore, so please forgive me if I do not respond right away.

Thanks!

EM

 

flying? living? very unlikely but an echocardiogram will settle the issue

 

I also had this diagnosed recently. My AME deferred my medical last fall. This was based upon an EKG and stress test, tread mill and nuclear. After the EKG, I had an echo-cardiogram, a heart catheterization, a cardiac MRI and this where things got interesting.

My cardiologist sent the findings to a colleague in Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic. He wanted to know how much scarring there was. This question got kicked to the people who did the cardiac MRI. Their response was "less than 15%." I also had genetic testing done which indicated my diagnosis wasn't due to any genetic anomalies. This information, combined with what the cardiologist and his staff were telling me, made me wonder.

Through an acquaintance, I was referred to the Cleveland Clinic. The Cleveland Clinic cardiology department has a VERY informative web site with lots of information on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). I got an appointment and went through additional testing last month. According to them, I don't have HCM but a non-fatal condition which can lead to a false report on an EKG indicating HCM.

Now, my paperwork for a special issuance medical is at the FAA in OKC or is in Washington, D.C. As an ALPA member, I'm using Aviation Medical Advisory Service (AMAS) and their staff has been excellent.

 

I received an update yesterday and things are progressing on a positive note. My request for a special issuance medical has not been denied. The next step is a cardiologist panel meeting in July.

The panel seems to be the last(?) step in this process. If the panel approves my request, then there is some time the following week to process paperwork. Hoping for a final answer by the end of July.

 

After 11-12 months, I finally received a special issuance first class medical. The FAA sent my information to an outside "consultant." I suspect they were looking for the "tie-breaker" since I had one cardiologist diagnosing HCM and the second cardiologist saying otherwise.

Now, I'm just waiting to begin sim training to requalify.

 

Flying airplanes I can understand but living "very unlikely"?

"This term should not be mistaken for a drastic situation - a normal life is possible with heart failure." HCMA

Talk about scaring the hell out of your patients!

 

I think he meant flying for a living. Not living with this condition as being unlikely.