Diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, options?

2021-09-17T23:03:16-04:00

Been a hell of a past month. In the past week I was notified I was deploying, a few days later my MRI came back diagnosing me with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, which is a heart disease. I am currently in the National Guard as a 42A, however I spent my first 7 1/2 years as a 19D. About 4 or so years on Active Duty and deployed for OIF and OND, then transitioned to the Guard in 2013.

I have an appointment with my cardiologist on Tuesday. He has already mentioned over email that he does not think I should deploy, and he will be discussing with me about treatment options.

What will this do to my National Guard career? I have a bit less than one year left to fulfill my 4 year obligation to transfer my GI bill benefits to my son. I have not brought it up to my leadership yet because I want to talk to the Cardiologist first. Anyone have any experience with this? If the Dr. recommends me unfit for service, is there a med board? I have no idea about any of this because I planned on doing a full 20. Any help/guidance is much appreciated.

For anyone wondering, I had been having chest pains the past year, and slowly unable to work out without being light headed and almost passing out, and bouts of extreme vertigo, which I brought up with my VA Dr whom sent me to a Cardiologist.

Rock of the Marne.

Response by PFC David Foster made Sep 17 at 2021 11:25 PM

2021-09-17T23:25:03-04:00

Good luck man. I had open heart surgery a few years ago, it was life changing.... Time to listen to the doctor....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2021 11:29 PM

2021-09-17T23:29:15-04:00

So one of two things can happen with being in the guard. You can go to an MMU unit and drill until you are nursed back to health or you can work on getting yourself medically discharged. While I am no medical expert I can’t tell you if this is career ending or not. This is something you will have to sit down with health care provider and talk and recommendations from your doctor. This can be a valid reason not to deploy though. So In my opinion talk with your doctor first see what treatment options you have and the time of recovery. Then bring it to medical providers in the NG and take it from there. I wish you the best of luck

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Sep 17 at 2021 11:42 PM

2021-09-17T23:42:22-04:00

In my opinion, all the MRI does is tell us what the structure of your heart looks like and I imagine your cardiologist will order more tests. Vertigo is an inner ear problem and not related to your heart. Until you see the cardiologist, really no one on here can answer your questions honestly. Your symptoms if cardiac related are incompatible with military service but again without this follow-up appointment there is just not enough information.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2021 12:48 AM

2021-09-18T00:48:08-04:00

Okay, no idea about the medical out, but what I do know is the Army and hie its slow with NG and Reserves Soldiers. Less than a year? Dont sweat it. You will do at least that while they figure out what to do with you, so you will be able to make the transfer to your son.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Sep 18 at 2021 12:15 PM

2021-09-18T12:15:02-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member First and foremost take care of your body and health. Doesn't do your family any good if you aren;t there.
Second, explain to the Doctor what your goals are about staying in. Maybe they can "massage" the reports so that it says you may be deployable in the future.
Third, this med stuff takes a long time in any branch, so I wouldn't sweat the year.
Lastly, I am not a NG expert by any means, this is just the same advice I gave my sailors when they were dealing with med issues.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Sep 18 at 2021 4:07 PM

2021-09-18T16:07:12-04:00

You no longer have a National Guard Career.