My Name is Reinhard Kirchhof. Everyone calls me Fritz. 72 Years old, retired, born in Frankfurt Germany, immigrated in 1957 with my parents and presently residing in Howell, New Jersey. Diagnosed 27 years ago for HCM way before we had all these COE’s. I am widowed from Janet, my wife of 44 years and have 2 sons, one of who is diagnosed with HCM. Additionally, I have 2 grandchildren, one of whom has also been diagnosed. Both are being followed. I worked as a service engineer for fortune 500 electronics companies most of my career and retired in 2016 as National Service Manager for the Commercial Microwave Division. I also Served in the United States Naval Air Reserve from 1970 to 1976, honorably discharged in 1976. Served as a Councilman in Howell Township from 1998 to 2002 and was appointed Deputy Mayor in 2001. Currently I serve as a 4th Degree Sir Knight in The Knights of Columbus at Saint Martha’s in Point Pleasant, NJ. I am an active Amateur Radio Operator, W2CET, Extra Class, where I enjoy speaking with people all around the world on the radio. I also enjoy photography and listening to operatic metal and since I live near the beach, nice walks on the beach or boardwalk.

I’ve been a member of the HCMA since almost the beginning, where I met Lisa Salberg, CEO and Founder of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA) at a symposium in Morristown many years ago. Just amazing what Lisa has accomplished!!

I had a very active life, but at the age of 45 I started noticing minor symptoms while exercising, then during a routine Physical and an EKG, the cardiologist noted an abnormal ekg. A subsequent Stress test confirmed that I have IHSS (a name used years ago for HCM). As the years progressed, I became more and more symptomatic which eventually led me to a COE where it was confirmed that I have Apical Non-Obstructive HCM. In 2003 they noticed some non-sustained ventricular tachycardia which led to my 1st ICD implant. As of Today, I am on my third one. 10 years ago, I started with Afib which led me to multiple cardioversions and subsequent ablations at a COE. One in 2020 and one in 2022. To date I am on some meds to help manage my HCM.

As for my family history, my mother was genetically tested and was positive. She also had 2 sisters and a brother. One of her sisters, although not tested, was certain to also have the disease. Going back further it appears that my grandmother may have also had HCM.

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