This online memorial was created in loving memory of Michael Georgia Jr., whose life story is told throughout this memorial website. Please sign Michael's guest book and let us know you came to visit. We will remember Michael forever.

Mikey died at age 6, while playing the swings at school. He died from sudden cardiac death (ventricular tachycardia). Teacher that was watching the kids looked over to the swings he was on when he slumped over and slid to the ground and the teacher yelled for im to get up as she approached him, she seen he was turning blue and yelled for another teacher to call 911 and began cpr, the emts got there and administered med's and continued cpr and tried to cardiovert him with a defibrillator. He could not be saved, too much time passed with no Automatic cardioverter not being near by. He was otherwise a normal child, other than the fact that we knew he had this hereditary heart disease and his heart was twice the size of his fathers, you couldn't tell he was even sick, other than he got tired easly. Now I am more informed about treatment options that we trusted the doctors to make sure we understood what could and should of been done. This much I do know he had a very large heart twice the size as daddy's and that he should of seen an EP doctor and had test run to see if he was high risk for this deadly rythem and he should of been able to recieve a AICD (automatic implantable defibrillator) that would of gave him the life saving shock he needed in time. He should of had the options of heart transplant and/or surgery to relieve the pressure of his heart from the thickening. Mikey was a pleasent child, many have said he was a boy that "Love life and life loved him back"! He often talked of heaven and Angels, Almost as if he "knew". Mikey loved art and painting pictures, cartoons- scooby doo and crash dummys" was his favorite. He love fishing trips with daddy and papaw. He loved blowing bubbles with mamaw. He liked playing with hot wheels and dinosaurs and reading books. He loved hotdogs, french fries and eating peaches, he loved his step mothers french toast that I couldn't shake a stick at... he always said thats not the way Maryanne makes it! He also loved "awfuls" (waffles) I remember he brought me rocks home from his dads and I sent him back with eggcorn's that his dad had to plant. Mikey loved watching barney and made me learn his songs. He had a twirling things in his fingers and anything that went around. His favorite favorite pets were cats, he loved his kittens.

Recuerde por favor a mi hijo Mikey que fue a casa al Señor en el cielo. Te quiero Mikey y yo le perderé para siempre.

What is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)?

Cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the muscle of the heart is abnormal in the absence of an apparent cause. This terminology is purely descriptive and is based on the Latin deviation. HCM is a primary and usually familial cardiac disorder with heterogeneous expression, unique pathophysiology, and a diverse clinical course, for which several disease causing mutations in the genes encoding proteins of the cardiac sacomere have been reported. While HCM has typically been recognized by its structure ie., hypertrophy, the electrical function of the heart are also adversely affected. There are three types of cardiomyopathy: "hypertrophic", "dilated" and "restrictive". The main feature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an excessive thickening of the heart muscle (hypertrophy literally means to thicken). Thickening is seen in the ventricular septal measurement (normal range .08-1.2mm), and in weight. In HCM, septal measurements may be in the range of 1.3mm to 6.0+mm. Heart muscle may also thicken in normal individuals as a result of high blood pressure or prolonged athletic training. Furthermore, there is a fine line between and athletic heart and a heart with HCM. In Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), the muscle thickening occurs without an obvious cause. In addition, microscopic examination of the heart muscle in HCM is abnormal. The normal alignment of muscle cells is absent and this abnormality is called "myocardial disarray".

Myocardial Disarray

These diagrams contrast the regular, parallel alignment of muscle cells in a normal heart with the irregular, disorganized alignment of muscle cells or "myocardial disarray" found in some parts of the heart in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. ************************************** History and Other Names

What's in a Name?

It is confusing. Remarkably, this disease (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) has been given 75 separate names by individual investigators over the last 40 years. Literally, no other disease can make that claim. Why has this occurred? The principal reason for the proliferation of names has undoubtedly been the heterogeneity and diversity in which the disease is expressed. Few individual investigators have seen large numbers of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and therefore individuals have come to regard the overall disease based on their own (sometimes limited) experience. Many of the names are somewhat misleading since they emphasize obstruction to left ventricular outflow which is a highly visible feature of the disease but is probably present in no more than about 25% of all patients. These names include IHSS (or idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis) which was the first popular term used in the United States; "stenosis" means obstruction. The same can be said for HOCM (hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy) which is still used in the United Kingdom...largely out of habit and convenience. Nevertheless, virtually all HCM experts and other cardiovascular specialists now regard as the best single name for this broad disease spectrum --- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM. This term emphasizes the hypertrophy which is the diagnostic marker in most patients and the fact that this disease is a form of cardiomyopathy -- or heart muscle disorder... without mentioning obstruction. Therefore, it is preferable to describe the disease as either "HCM with obstruction" or "HCM without obstruction."

"Cardiomyopathy" itself is a very general term referring to any condition (and there are many) importantly affecting the heart muscle itself while "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy" refers to a specific and genetic condition which usually shows a familial pattern. The most characteristic feature of HCM is a hypertrophied left ventricle (asymmetric thickening of the wall usually most prominently involving the ventricular septum) without abnormal enlargement of the ventricular cavities.

******************************************************************************************************************

******** Vista General de HCM********

¿Qué es Cardiomyopathy Hipertrópico (HCM)?

Cardiomyopathy es una condición en la que el músculo del corazón es anormal en ausencia de una causa aparente. Esta terminología es puramente descriptiva y se basa en la desviación latina. HCM es un desorden primario y generalmente familiar cardiaco con la expresión heterogénea, con pathophysiology extraordinario, y con un curso clínico diverso, para que varias enfermedad que causa que mutaciones en los genes que codifiquen las proteínas del sacomere cardiaco se han informado. Mientras HCM ha sido reconocido típicamente por su estructura ie., la hipertrofia, la función eléctrica del corazón también es afectada adversamente. Hay tres tipos de cardiomyopathy: "Hipertrópico", "dilatado" y "restrictivo". La característica principal de cardiomyopathy hipertrópico es un espesamiento excesivo del músculo de corazón (hipertrofia literalmente medios para espesar). El espesamiento se ve en la medida ventricular de septal (la gama .08-1.2mm normal), y en el peso. En HCM, las medidas de septal pueden estar en la gama de 1.3mm a 6.0+mm. El músculo del corazón puede espesar también en individuos normales como resultado de hipertensión o instrucción atlética prolongada. Además, hay una línea fina entre y corazón atlético y un corazón con HCM. En Cardiomyopathy Hipertrópico (HCM), el espesamiento de músculo ocurre sin una causa obvia. Además, examen microscópico del músculo de corazón en HCM es anormal. La alineación normal de células de músculo está ausente y esta anormalidad se llama el "desorden miocardial".

Desorden miocardial

Estos esquemas contrastan la alineación regular y paralela de células de músculo en un corazón normal con la alineación irregular y desorganizadas de células de músculo o "desorden miocardial" encontró en algunas partes del corazón en el cardiomyopathy hipertrópico. ************************************** Historia y Otros Nombres

¿Qué está en un Nombre?

Confunde. Notablemente, esta enfermedad (cardiomyopathy hipertrópico) ha sido dado 75 nombres separados por investigadores individuales sobre los últimos 40 años. Literalmente, ninguna otra enfermedad puede hacer ese reclamo. ¿Por qué ha ocurrido esto? La razón principal para la proliferación de nombres ha sido indudablemente la heterogeneidad y la diversidad en la que la enfermedad se expresa. Pocos investigadores individuales han visto muchos a pacientes con cardiomyopathy hipertrópico, y por lo tanto individuos han venido a considerar la enfermedad general basada en su propio (a veces limitado) la experiencia. Muchos de los nombres descaminan algo desde que ellos acentúan obstrucción a la izquierda desagüe ventricular que es una característica sumamente visible de la enfermedad pero es probablemente no presenta en más que acerca de 25% de todos pacientes. Estos nombres incluyen IHSS (o idiopathic stenosis hipertrópico de subaortic) que era el primer término popular utilizado en los Estados Unidos; "stenosis" significa obstrucción. El mismo puede ser dicho para HOCM (cardiomyopathy de obstrucción hipertrópico) que se utiliza todavía en el Reino Unido. ..largely por costumbre y la conveniencia. No obstante, virtualmente todos expertos de HCM y otros especialistas cardiovasculares ahora consideran como el solo mejor nombre para este espectro ancho de la enfermedad -- -cardiomyopathy hipertrópicos o HCM. Este término acentúa la hipertrofia que es el marcador diagnóstico en la mayoría de los pacientes y el hecho que esta enfermedad es una forma de cardiomyopathy -- o el desorden de músculo de corazón... sin mencionar obstrucción. Por lo tanto, es preferible describir la enfermedad como o "HCM con obstrucción" o "HCM sin obstrucción."

"Cardiomyopathy" él mismo es un término muy general que refiere a cualquier condición (y hay muchos) afectando importante el músculo de corazón él mismo mientras "cardiomyopathy hipertrópico" se refiere a una condición específica y genética que muestra generalmente una pauta familiar. La característica más típica de HCM es un hiperatrofió dejó el ventrículo (el espesamiento asimétrico de la pared generalmente la mayoría del implicando con un papel prominente el ventricular septa) sin la ampliación anormal de las cavidades ventriculares. **************************************

I Love You Mikey, All the way up to the Sky, Moon and Stars!!! For-ever son!!! I know you Daddy loves you and his heart is always with you, when you died son and started your know life with Jesus, know that half our heart beats on with you there. Maryanne loves you and thinks of you always, I believe she misses making you her unbeatable french toast that you loved so. Angel still speaks of you with everyone that passes her way, of her big brother in heaven. I want to tell you how much your missed, Mamaw & papaw miss and love you soo much. Papaw misses those fishing trips! Mamaw misses those walks outside picking up leaves and enjoying talking with you. Mamaw and papaw Georgia love and miss you! Your missed by all you Aunt's and Uncles!

I love my Mikey man!!!

***********VISIT************** ICDSUPPORTFORUM.COM**********

********** THE ICD SUPPORT FORUM************

*********An online support community********

*******For people and their families********

**********Living with Implantable***********

********Cardioverter Defibrillators*********

The Young Heart > > Please send this back but only if you mean it! > > > "Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, > > "I'll open up your heart..." > > > "You'll find Jesus there," the boy > > interrupted. > > > The surgeon looked up, annoyed "I'll > > cut your heart open," he continued, > > to see how much damage has been > > done..." > > > "But when you open up my heart, you'll > > find Jesus in there," said the boy. > > > The surgeon looked to the parents, who > > Sat quietly."When I see how much > > damage has been done, I'll sew your > > heart and chest back up, and I'll plan > > what to do next." > > > "But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The > > Bible says He lives there. The > > hymns all say He lives there. You'll > > find Him in my heart." > > > The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell > > you what I'll find in your heart. > > I'll find damaged muscle, low blood > > supply, and weakened vessels. > > And I'll find out if I can make you well." > > > "You'll find Jesus there too. He lives > > there." > > > The surgeon left. > > > The surgeon sat in his office, recording his > > notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged > > pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. > > No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: > > painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:, " > > here he paused, "death within one year." > > > He stopped the recorder, but there was > > more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud. > > "Why did You do this? You've put > > him here; You've put him in this pain; and > > You've cursed him to an early death. Why?" > > > The Lord answered and said, "The boy, > > My lamb, was not meant for your > > flock for long, for he is a part of My > > flock, and will forever be. > > Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and > > will be comforted as you cannot imagine. > > His parents will one day join him here, > > and they will know peace, and > > My flock will continue to grow." > > > The surgeon's tears were hot, but his > > anger was hotter. "You created that > > boy, and You created that heart. He'll > > be dead in months. Why?" > > > The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, > > shall return to My flock, for He has > > Done his duty: I did not put My lamb > > with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another > > lost lamb." > > > The surgeon wept.. The surgeon sat > > beside the boy's bed; the boy's > > parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and > > whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?" > > > "Yes," said the surgeon. > > > "What did you find?" asked the boy. > > > "I found Jesus there," said the > > surgeon. > > > Author Unknown - Celebrate Jesus in 2006 > > > If you aren't ashamed to do this, > > please follow the directions > > listed below: > > > Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, > > I will be ashamed of you before > > my Father." > > > I Am Not Ashamed. Pass this on only if > > you mean it. "Yes, I do Love > > God. He is my source of existence and > > Savior. He keeps me functioning each > > and everyday. Without Him, I will be > > nothing. Without him, I am nothing, > > but with Him I can do all things through > > Christ that strengthens me." > > (Phil 4:13) > >

For support and/or questions with an Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Device (ICD) Please visit "THE ICD SPPORT FORUM" You will find me there and many others who are waiting to talk with anyone who needs to caring heart & an listening ear to talk with whom ever is going thru adjustment to having an ICD, considering having an ICD, and those who have had the life saving shock!!! www.icdsupportforum.com

When Does Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Develop?

Although hypertrophy may be present at birth or in childhood, it is much more common for the heart to appear normal at this time. Occasionally, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is the cause of a stillbirth or develops during infancy, with heart failure, which may be fatal. However, hypertrophy more commonly develops in association with growth and is usually apparent by the late teens or early twenties. After this time it appears that there is no significant change in muscle thickness in the years of adult life. Children and adolescents with the condition usually come to attention when a family screening is performed after an adult in the family is found to be affected. Approximately 50% of adults with the condition present with symptoms. In the remainder the diagnosis is made during family screening or following the detection of a murmur or abnormality on routine electrocardiogram (ECG). A growing number of HCM patients are being identified later in life and are referred to as "adult onset". In the early literature the occurrence of adult onset appeared rare, now we know it to be far more common. Therefore in recent years those in the HCM community have encouraged those with a family history of HCM to continue to be screened every 5 years, or if symptoms occur, after the age of 25 for the remainder of life. For screening information see Family Screenings on this web site. www.4hcm.org **************************************************************************** ¿Desarrolla Cardiomyopathy cuándo Hipertrópico?

Aunque hipertrofia pueda ser presente al nacer o en la niñez, es mucho más común para el corazón para aparecer normal en este momento. Ocasionalmente, Cardiomyopathy Hipertrópico es la causa de un alumbramiento de un mortinato o desarrolla durante la infancia, con fallo del corazón, que puede ser fatal. Sin embargo, la hipertrofia más desarrolla comúnmente conjuntamente con el crecimiento y es generalmente aparente por los tarde jóvenes o años veinte tempranos. Después que esta vez aparece que no hay cambio significativo en el espesor de músculo en los años de la vida adulta. Los niños y los adolescentes con la condición vienen generalmente a la atención cuando una investigación de la familia se realiza después que un adulto en la familia se encuentra para ser afectado. Aproximadamente 50% de adultos con el presente de la condición con síntomas. En el resto que el diagnóstico se hace durante la investigación de la familia o seguir el descubrimiento de un murmullo o la anormalidad en el electrocardiograma rutinario (ECG). Un número creciente de pacientes de HCM se identifica luego en vida y se refiere al "comienzo como adulto". En la literatura temprana la ocurrencia del comienzo adulto apareció rara, ahora sabemos que ser mucho más común. Por lo tanto en los últimos años ésos en la comunidad de HCM han alentado ésos con una historia de familia de HCM para continuar ser investigados cada 5 años, o si los síntomas ocurren, después de la edad de 25 para el resto de la vida.

www.4hcm.org ****************************************************************************************************************** Physicians interested in HCM and Centers of Excellence

Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

Dr. Barry J. Maron - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation coordinates a large clinic and research effort directed toward the care and follow-up of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In addition, there is an intensive research effort focused on defining the natural history of HCM and the basic genetic defects responsible for the clinical expression and outcome of this diverse condition. The HCM clinic director is Dr. Barry J. Maron who has a 25-year involvement with HCM and has authored over 350 scientific papers on this condition. Dr. Maron, with his cardiovascular colleagues in the Minneapolis Heart Institute orchestrate the diagnosis and management of patients in what has become one of the largest cohorts of patients with HCM in the United States. Inquiries regarding patient referrals should be directed to the HCM Research Program of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, Dr. Barry J. Maron.

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, Minnesota

Mayo Clinic Treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy includes providing patients with a "State of the Art" evaluation. The Clinic is staffed by nationally recognized cardiologists with a subspecialty expertise in the evaluation and treatment of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. All currently accepted treatment modalities for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are available at Mayo Clinic, as well as newer investigational therapeutic modalities.

Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Harry M. Lever, M.D - Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland Clinic Foundation - Harry M. Lever, M.D. Specialty Interest: Echocardiography, clinical cardiology, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Tufts-New England Medical Center - Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center

Boston, Massachusetts

Tufts-NEMC Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center will provide standard physicals along with ECGs and Echocardiograms to assess patients' risk and determine best treatment. Treatment options may include medication, surgery or the implantation of a pacemaker or defibrillator.

"The goal of the HCM clinic is to provide comprehensive care of paitents and families with HCM," said Tufts-NEMC cardiologist Mark Link, MD, "and research experience in HCM will provide multidisciplinary patient care for problems as diverse as heart failure, syncope, arrhythmias and prevention of sudden death."

Seidman Laboratory Brigham and Women's Hospital / Harvard Medical School

Boston, Massachusetts

The Seidman Lab at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Cardiovascular Genetics Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA Christine E. Seidman, M.D. (Director) Carolyn Ho, M.D. (Medical Director) Allison Cirino, MS (Program Coordinator and Genetics Counselor) 617-732-7921

The Cardiovascular Genetics Center (CVGC) at Brigham and Women's Hospital is dedicated to the treatment of HCM and other inherited cardiovascular diseases. Composed of a multidisciplinary team of physicians and scientists, the CVGC works at improving clinical medicine through new scientific discoveries. The CVGC provides comprehensive and innovative management of individuals and families. State of the art clinical care is available to individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, including noninvasive cardiac imaging with echocardiography and cardiac MRI, individualized patient treatment plans, risk assessment for sudden cardiac death, interventional treatment for appropriate patients with severe symptoms (surgical myectomy and alcohol septal ablation), and management of advanced heart failure. Genetic counseling, mutation identification and family screening are available. For more information call 617-732-7921.

St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital

New York, NY

St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center HCM Program is the only such program specializing in the evaluation and treatment of this condition in the tri-state New York metropolitan area. Our physicians have treated patients with this condition for 20 years. We have made important discoveries about the mechanism of the disease and its successful treatment. We offer a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, a range of treatments, and screening for relatives of affected patients.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic

San Antonio, Texas

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Division of Cardiology, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic offers patients and family education, guidance, and care for managing their HCM over their lifetime. The clinic and physicians help to assess patients to determine clinical course of action, prognosis and treatment options. There are a number of potential therapies available for the HCM patient. The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic can provide recommendations regarding the optimal therapy to relieve or reduce symptoms, including drugs, interventional options such as surgery, pacemaker implantation or alcohol septal ablation. We also provide guidance to other physicians in how to manage patients during non-cardiac surgery and pregnancy.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute

Chigaco, Illinois

Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is a world-class heart and vascular program that offers comprehensive services and treatments in all areas of cardiovascular care.

The Center for Heart Failure offers the best in both medical and surgical treatment for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Robert Bonow, MD is a world renowned cardiologist in the medical management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Patrick McCarthy, MD is an internationally known cardiac surgeon and performs all cardiac surgical procedures for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in patients who are not medically managed. Drs. Bonow and McCarthy lead an expert team of surgeons, cardiologists, advance practice nurses, dietitians, cardiac rehabilitation specialists, psychologists and social workers who contribute their expertise in the management of this disease.

University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center’s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic

Ann Arbor, Michigan

University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center’s Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic

To meet the challenging diagnostic and treatment issues associated with HCM, our clinic offers a unique multi-disciplinary approach to individualized patient care. Our team includes highly skilled practitioners from many fields, including physicians and nurses specializing in adult and pediatric cardiology, cardiac surgery, and genetics. This allows us to provide state-of-the-art evaluation and treatment to patients with HCM and their families, including: medication-based therapies, interventional and surgical procedures, risk stratification for sudden cardiac death, family screening, genetic testing, and genetic counseling.

Our team of nationally recognized cardiac specialists is led by Sharlene Day, M.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine/Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Washington University Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Saint Louis, Missouri

Washington University Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Clinic

The Washington University Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy clinic provides state of the art evaluation and multimodal treatment of

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy by physicians experienced in the management of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at Stanford

Stanford, California

The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at Stanford is specialized in the care of patients and families with hypertrophic and other forms of familial cardiomyopathy. From the latest imaging techniques to sophisticated genetic profiling, our team offers world class care with an emphasis on compassion and communication.

The Heart Hospital

London, England UK

My main interests have been in clinical and basic research of the cardiomyopathies. Recent work has contributed to the identification of disease-causing genes in hypertrophic, dilated and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, to the establishment of new diagnostic criteria within the context of familial disease, and to the establishment of algorithms to identify patients at high risk of sudden death.

Prof William McKenna -

Position Professor of Cardiology Centre for Cardiology In The Young (CITY) The Heart Hospital 16-18 Westmoreland Street London W1G 8PH

Italian Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Institute

Firenze, Italy

Italian Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Institute - Via Jacopo Nardi 30, 50132 Firenze Italy

Sudden Death

Overall, in patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy there is an increased risk of premature death, which can occur with little or no warning. Sudden death can strike at any age. In the past the risk of sudden death was thought to be much higher than we believe it to be today. It is estimated that the risk of sudden death is between 1 and 2 % in the HCM population. There are members of the HCM population at a higher risk for sudden death and for those at higher risk it is advised they consult with their health care provider about receiving an implantable defibrillator.