Schwartz PJ, et al. Congenital long QT syndrome: Epidemiology and clinical manifestations. Giudicessi JR, et al. Prevalence and clinical phenotype of concomitant long QT syndrome and arrhythmogenic bileaflet mitral valve prolapse. International Journal of Cardiology. Berul CI, et al. Acquired long QT syndrome: Definitions, causes, and pathophysiology. Waddell-Smith KE, et al. Pre-test probability and genes and variants of uncertain significance in familial long QT syndrome.
Heart, Lung and Circulation. Significance of a long QT interval adult. Mayo Clinic; How the heart works. Prolonged QT interval: Signs and symptoms adult. Congenital long QT syndrome: Diagnosis. Ferri FF. Long QT syndrome. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Elsevier; Congenital long QT syndrome: Treatment. Ackerman JP, et al. The promise and peril of precision medicine: Phenotyping still matters most. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Chambers KD, et al. Cardiac events during competitive, recreational, and daily activities in children and adolescents with long QT syndrome.
Journal of the American Heart Association. Riggin ER. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. April 28, That's the time it takes for your heart to contract and refill with blood before it beats again. What's normal for you depends on your age, your sex and your individual heart rate.
Your doctor will consider this information. If the interval takes longer than normal to occur, it's called a prolonged QT interval. If your long QT symptoms tend to come and go, they may not be captured during a standard ECG recording. In this case your doctor may recommend remote or continuous ECG monitoring. There are several different types. A genetic test for long QT syndrome is available and recommended by many doctors to confirm the diagnosis.
Check with your insurer to see if it is covered. It's important to understand that genetic tests for long QT syndrome can't detect all inherited cases of long QT syndrome. It's recommended that families speak to a genetic counselor before and after testing.
If you have a positive genetic test for long QT syndrome, your doctor may recommend that other family members also be tested to determine whether they inherited the same gene.
Treatment for long QT syndrome involves lifestyle changes, medications, and possibly surgery or other procedures. The goal of treatment is to prevent erratic heartbeats and sudden death. Your doctor will discuss with you the most appropriate treatment options based on your symptoms and your type of long QT syndrome.
Your doctor might suggest treatment even if you don't often have signs or symptoms. If you have drug-induced long QT syndrome, stopping the medication causing your symptoms may be all that is needed to treat the condition. Your doctor can tell you how to safely do so.
For other cases of acquired long QT syndrome, treating the underlying condition is necessary. Treatment varies but may include magnesium or other fluids given by IV to correct electrolyte imbalances. Medications won't cure long QT syndrome, but they can help protect against possible life-threatening heart rhythm changes.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor might consider other long QT syndrome treatments for you, including:. Left cardiac sympathetic denervation LCSD surgery. In this procedure, surgeons remove specific nerves along the left side of your spine in your chest.
These nerves are part of the body's sympathetic nervous system, which helps control your heart rhythm. LCSD is generally reserved for people with long QT and persistent heart rhythm problems who are at high risk of symptoms and cannot take or tolerate beta blockers.
It doesn't cure long QT syndrome, but it does help reduce the risk of sudden death. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ICD. An ICD is implanted under the skin of your chest and continuously monitors your heartbeat.
It can stop a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia. Avoiding stressful situations may also be recommended. Rehydrating properly after a tummy upset is also essential, usually with supplements containing salt and sugar. Your doctor may prescribe potassium supplements or suggest increasing the amount of potassium-rich foods in your diet. Good sources of potassium include:. Always tell medical staff that you have long QT syndrome. Any new medicine, whether prescription or over the counter, will need to be carefully checked to see if it's suitable for you.
For more information you can get a booklet about life with inherited abnormal heart rhythms from the British Heart Foundation. Page last reviewed: 26 October Next review due: 26 October Long QT syndrome. Those who do have symptoms usually have: blackouts or fainting , because the heart has stopped pumping blood properly and the brain is temporarily starved of oxygen — the heart's rhythm returns to normal within a few minutes and the person regains consciousness seizures , which sometimes happen instead of a blackout when the brain is starved of oxygen heart palpitations , when the heart is beating in a fast or unpredictable way These symptoms can start unexpectedly and may be triggered by: stress a sudden noise — such as an alarm strenuous exercise — particularly swimming a slow heart rate during sleep Risk of death The heart usually returns to its normal rhythm after it's been beating abnormally.
Causes of long QT syndrome Long QT syndrome is usually caused by a faulty gene inherited from a parent. The time it takes to recharge is called the QT interval. When this interval takes longer than it should, it changes the timing of the heartbeat and can cause an abnormal or dangerous rhythm. Some kids with long QT syndrome have no symptoms. Others may feel changes in their heartbeat, feel lightheaded at times, faint, or have a seizure. Things like stress, exercise, or being startled can bring on symptoms.
But sometimes symptoms can come on suddenly and without warning. Congenital long QT syndrome can be treated, but it can't be "cured" and won't go away on its own. Acquired long QT syndrome usually stops if the cause like certain medicines goes away.
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