Inherited

Yes

by marylandpm - 2020-11-07 07:36:17

      My mother required a pacemaker and her mother  had fainting problems that were never resolved. So yes I have the same problem that requires a pacemaker. 100% paced for the last 5 years. Complete block. My younger sister has first degree block now but could progress to complete block in a few years.  

Family History

by cardifflass - 2020-11-07 10:08:51

Hi Damie.

my mum had Afib and a pacemaker fitted in her late 70's.  Sadly she died from the effects of heart failure at 80.

2 of my brothers have Afib.  One is an alcoholic  and tends to drop out of sight so not really looking after himself.  the other has had 2 ablations, the 2nd in 2013 and has been fit and well ever since and has gone back to running.

I was diagnosed last september with Afib, though I now realise it had been going on for at least a year (maybe more) doh!!!  I had a pacemaker in August this year and I'm waiting for an AV node ablation.

My son has been investigated for rythym issues.

There are a couple of case histories with a genetic link but generally cardiologists are a bit ambivilant.  Possibly because age is a factor for a lot of people, so chances are a lot of people will get it anyway.

genetics

by Tracey_E - 2020-11-07 11:37:33

There are some heart conditions that are genetic, yes. Heart block is not one of them. 
The only genetic link they've found is moms with Lupus are more likely to give birth to babies with heart block. My mom does not have Lupus so mine is a fluke, and not something I can pass on to my kids. It does sound like something is going on with your family, though, that's a lot of coincidence. 

The Family That Paces Together........

by Marybird - 2020-11-07 18:28:56

I don't know if there are hereditary issues or it's just coincidence, but my sister, my daughter, and I all have pacemakers, and arrhythmias of various types. My sister and my brother both have afib, my daughter had it a number of years ago in her mid 20's, along with a couple other atrial tachyarrhythmias, she had a successful ablation for afib and it never returned. 

Both my sister and I have been diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome, (tachy-brady), and my daughter was determined to have "inappropriate sinus tachycardia", along with other tachycardia coming from at least one other spot in her atria. She had constant tachycardia ( resting HR around 130, which increased to 200 or more with activity), and her EP told her, and us, that if this continued she would die from tachycardia related cardiomyopathy and related heart failure. Medications did little for her, and repeated ablations didn't help for long. She had her sinus node ablated, and got the pacemaker after that. 

My daughter was diagnosed with a genetic collagen disorder ( Ehler-Danlos syndrome) a few years later. This is a condition in which some of the proteins used to make collagen are abnormal, making connective tissue weaker and subject to breakdown, tearing or injuries just from everyday use. Since connective tissue is found in every part of the body, many organ systems can be affected, including the cardiac tissue. So this condition can be associated with arrhythmias. It's not been proven, and she has not undergone genetic testing, but not all forms of Ehler-Danlos syndrome have been associated at this point with a detectable chromosomal or nucleic acid abnormality. I suspect it may be my side of the family as my sister ( the one with the pacemaker) has also had issues related to collagen disorders ( organ rupture in her case) over the years. 

I suppose my daughter inherited this syndrome either from me or her father, though I suspect it could come from my family as my sister ( the one with the pacemaker and the afib) has has issues possibly related to abnormal connective tissue ( organ rupture in her case). It's possible, perhaps, that her sick sinus syndrome might be in part associated with this genetic collagen disorder, but it might also be due to uncontrolled hypertension over the years and old age. Hard to tell. 

I have no idea if carry a possible gene for this disorder, or if my SSS is due to atrial fibrosis associated with my long term and all too long poor control of my hypertension, and old age. I suppose a genetic connection is possible, but it's anyone's guess.

Is there a genetic link?

by islandgirl - 2020-11-08 11:37:26

I developed arrhythmias in 1999.  I've had numerous ablations, as my heart seems to create new electrical pathways.  In 2015 I received a pacemaker for sick sinus syndrome.  In 2016 I had a sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular arrhythmias.  I continue to have new pathways forming and have had 2 ablations this year....February and October, both new pathways.  Family history....my mother's brother died of some kind of arrhythmia in the 1970s, at the age of 54.  My aunt and cousins remember he was at risk of sudden death and he had a pacemaker.  They don't remember what arrhythmia he had.  My mom's father dropped dead in 1943, also at the age of 54, and they called it a heart attack.  My EP is suspicious.  I had biopsies once, but they were inconclusive.  Covid has affected the biopsy studies.  I've had genetic testing, which I am still awaiting results.  

I've seen a rheumatologist and testing showed no autoimmune diseases.  The pulmonologist found my lungs healthy.

My parents both had coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, high choloesterol, and I have none of those issues.  

same as Tracey_E

by dwelch - 2020-11-12 05:49:44

Mine is congenital (heart block) so they say it comes from an autoimmune disease in the mother during pregnancy.  Like Tracey_E my mom does not have Lupus, so also a fluke?  When I started this journey they didnt know what causes it, now they do but it doesnt seem to match, but is not something I can pass on.