A 29-Year-Old Middle Eastern Man Is Evaluated for Difficulty Breathing

A 29-year-old Middle Eastern man is evaluated for difficulty breathing and nonproductive cough for the past month.  He reports difficulty walking and frequent falls over the last year but has not seen a physician.  The patient has no other medical problems.  He is married and has a 3-year-old son.
His blood pressure is 96/60 mm Hg and pulse is 100/min.  Jugular venous pressure is estimated at 12 mm H₂O.  Lung examination shows bibasilar crackles.  The point of maximal impulse is displaced to the left and a third heart sound is present.  The proximal extremity muscles are atrophied, but both calves are prominently enlarged.
Chest x-ray shows cardiomegaly.
The son's risk of developing his father's condition is closest to which of the following?

A) 100%
B) 75%
C) 50%
D) 25%
E) 0%

Correct Answer:

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