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For most of his life, Arlo Dillenburg wasn’t aware he had a genetic heart condition. That changed in a heartbeat. “It all started one day after leaving work … I got to my car and was completely out of breath and couldn’t breathe,” said Dillenburg.He chalked it up to a busy day at work, but the next day, he had the same symptoms. His wife took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM.The genetic condition makes it harder for the heart to pump blood.”The heart muscle is thicker than usual. And that can lead to some symptoms complication and heat. Further attention and treatment,” said Dr. Amjad Kabach, a cardiologist with CHI Health.Dr. Kabach says it’s not extremely rare: About 1 in 200 people have HCM, and it can bring serious risks. “It’s the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young, athletic, patient,” said Dr. Kabach.”My older brother had passed away from a heart condition. We didn’t know exactly what,” said Dillenburg.Now that Dillenburg knows his diagnosis, he believes his late brother may have passed away from the same condition. Many of his family members carry that same gene. “Two of my five kids have the gene, my mom, my brother, my sister, my niece,” said Dillenburg.If the condition is identified early enough, Dr. Kabach says it can be treated, and patients can have a long and healthy life. Dillenburg says thanks to treatment and a new medication, he’s almost back to normal.In Heart Health Month especially, Dr. Kabach urges you to know your family’s health history and get tested if necessary. Dillenburg says awareness can save your life. “If your heart’s racing, have chest pains, anything out of the normal, I would get tested. because you don’t know until it’s too late,” said Dillenburg.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google Search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
For most of his life, Arlo Dillenburg wasn’t aware he had a genetic heart condition.
That changed in a heartbeat.
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“It all started one day after leaving work … I got to my car and was completely out of breath and couldn’t breathe,” said Dillenburg.
He chalked it up to a busy day at work, but the next day, he had the same symptoms.
His wife took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM.
The genetic condition makes it harder for the heart to pump blood.
“The heart muscle is thicker than usual. And that can lead to some symptoms complication and heat. Further attention and treatment,” said Dr. Amjad Kabach, a cardiologist with CHI Health.
Dr. Kabach says it’s not extremely rare: About 1 in 200 people have HCM, and it can bring serious risks.
“It’s the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young, athletic, patient,” said Dr. Kabach.
“My older brother had passed away from a heart condition. We didn’t know exactly what,” said Dillenburg.
Now that Dillenburg knows his diagnosis, he believes his late brother may have passed away from the same condition.
Many of his family members carry that same gene.
“Two of my five kids have the gene, my mom, my brother, my sister, my niece,” said Dillenburg.
If the condition is identified early enough, Dr. Kabach says it can be treated, and patients can have a long and healthy life.
Dillenburg says thanks to treatment and a new medication, he’s almost back to normal.
In Heart Health Month especially, Dr. Kabach urges you to know your family’s health history and get tested if necessary.
Dillenburg says awareness can save your life.
“If your heart’s racing, have chest pains, anything out of the normal, I would get tested. because you don’t know until it’s too late,” said Dillenburg.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google Search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
