Please help interpret my brother’s EKGs and Echo from W. Africa. New HCM diagnosis
Hi,
TLDR: U.S-based nurse seeking cardiology experts opinions on brother’s (35/M) cardiac condition in W. Africa; level of exercise suggested at this time and what other tests to run. I want to see if my family can do more to help. Significant family hx of strokes leading to paralysis and death from paternal side of family. TYSM. Last picture is his latest EKG from April.
I would appreciate some opinions from you Cardiac pros on my brother please(I know you can’t officially diagnose patients that are not in your care, no worries). 35/M living in a W. African country . 6’2ish and about 280lbs. Mostly sedentary lifestyle up to January 2026, when good wife has to rush him to the hospital for dyspnea, chest pain and SOB. BP was in the 230s/110s. 5 days in the ICU to stabilize his BP, runs some labs and some cardiac tests later, he was discharged.
Cr 1.3, K (3.1). Tn-I was 0.74 ng/ml (normal range there is 0-0.3ng/ml). No hyperlipedemia labs were run, but as you read below, they also put him on statins (yes, I told him to avoid grapefruit).
I have attached his EKG from 9/1/26 (meaning January 9th; French is one of our languages), and another from April 16, 2026 when I went to visit and attended a cardiac appointment with him. Also attached is his first ever echo during the ICU admission. He now has an at-home electronic BP machine and pulse ox and I have encouraged him to keep a weekly log when he’s going to see his cardiologist.
He is currently on Cardio Aspirin 81mg, Physiotens 0.4mg, Nebivolol (down to half a pill from February dose), amlodipine 10mg and artovastatin. BP now 154/80. He has lost 8lbs walking daily and lifting 10lb weights (nervous about strenuous exercise on his heart). We’re getting him a gym membership.
He will be redoing labs in June, along with whatever other cardiac tests are deemed needed based on recommendations from you guys (his MD wants another EKG, but since we’re paying out of pocket 100%, he can run other tests if we ask for it).