Questions about interpreting the results

Questions Answer
What are the possible test results? There are three (3) possible results:

1. Negative for the mutation (normal/normal)
2. Positive Heterozygous for the mutation (normal/mutant)
3. Positive Homozygous for the mutation (mutant/mutant)
What do the test results mean? There are three (3) possible results and each has a different meaning

1. Negative result means your cat does not have this mutation. It may or may not develop HCM in its lifetime but it will not develop the form of HCM associated with this mutation.

2. Positive Heterozygous means your cat has one copy of this mutation (instead of two). It may or may not develop HCM in its lifetime but it is more likely to develop HCM than a Negative cat.

3. Positive Homozygous means your cat has two copies of this mutation (instead of one). It may or may not develop HCM in its lifetime but it is more likely to develop HCM than a Negative cat.
My cat tested negative for the MyBPC Mutation. Does this mean this cat will never develop HCM? Your cat will not develop the form of HCM associated with this mutation. However, your cat may or may not develop HCM in its lifetime.
My cat tested positive for the MyBPC Mutation. Does this mean this cat will develop HCM? Your cat is more likely to develop HCM than a Negative cat. However, your cat may or may not develop HCM in its lifetime. Your cat should be evaluated annually by a veterinary cardiologist because it is at an increased risk.
What are the current statistics for cats returning a positive test result? As of September 2006, 33.4% of all cats tested returned a Positive result. Of this percent, about 4% to 5% were Homozygous for the mutation.
What cat breeds may be tested for the MyBPC Mutation? Any cat breed may be tested for the MyBPC Mutation.
What cat breeds have tested Positive for the MyBPC Mutation so far? As of September 2006, only Maine Coons and their progeny have tested Positive for this mutation. One Siberian cat tested Positive Heterozygote and its pedigree was traced back to a Maine Coon. No other cat breed has yet tested Positive for this mutation.
Is it more likely that a positive homozygous cat will develop HCM than a positive heterozygous cat? We do not have the data to determine the answer to this question at this time.
Are there cats that tested positive for the MyBPC mutation and never develop(ed) HCM? We do not officially have record of this data. We have been told by cat owners that their older, Positive cats have never been diagnosed with HCM.
Do all cats with HCM test positive for the MyBPC mutation? No. There are likely other mutations that may cause HCM.

from: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/deptsVCGL/FAQ.aspx