What happens during LQTS? What are the symptoms of LQTS? If symptoms appear, they may include: Palpitations a fluttering in the chest Seizure-like activity caused by lack of blood flow to the brain Syncope dizziness or fainting Sudden cardiac arrest What are the complications of LQTS? What causes LQTS? Triggering Conditions Electrolyte Imbalances Potassium deficiency hypokalemia Magnesium deficiency hypomagnesemia Blood calcium deficiency hypocalcemia Other Conditions Malnutrition Hypothyroidism A history of heart disease, including heart failure, heart attack, left ventricular hypertrophy or bradycardia A history of stroke Triggering Medications A wide variety of drugs may lengthen the QT interval.
The most common types of drugs are: Antibiotics Antifungals Antiarrhythmics Rarely, grapefruit juice may increase the risk of a dangerous cardiac event when combined with a triggering drug. How is LQTS diagnosed? How is LQTS treated? Treatment for LQTS will depend on the type and severity of symptoms.
Treating Inherited LQTS Taking beta blockers Taking medications to control the heart rhythm antiarrhythmics Avoiding triggers such as swimming or intense exercise Inserting a pacemaker Inserting an implantable cardio-defibrillator Treating Acquired LQTS Stopping any trigger medications Treating any underlying conditions or deficiencies Taking medications to control the heart rhythm antiarrhythmics Inserting a pacemaker or implantable cardio-defibrillator Learn more about arrhythmias or visit the Johns Hopkins Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service.
Get the test you need: A safe MRI for people with pacemakers Most people with pacemakers and implanted defibrillators are told they are unable to have an MRI. Read more. Inherited long QT syndrome There are two types of inherited long QT syndrome: Romano-Ward syndrome — is being recognised with increasing frequency. Researchers have found more than 15 genes that cause long QT syndrome, and more are expected to be discovered in the future. Genetic testing for long QT syndrome is now available.
Jervell and Lange-Nielson syndrome— this form is rare and also causes deafness. Genetic testing for long QT syndrome Genetic testing for long QT syndrome involves testing for six common genes that are known to be associated with the condition. Event triggers of long QT syndrome An event can be triggered by: exercise being startled by a loud noise, such as a horn, ringing telephone or alarm clock exams, tests or other stressful situations anger or crying.
Treatment for long QT syndrome Treatments include: medications — beta blockers are effective for 90 per cent of people with long QT syndrome. ICDs may be necessary for patients that do not respond to beta blocker therapy. Genetic counselling for long QT syndrome If your child or another family member has been diagnosed with long QT syndrome, or if it runs in your family, it may be helpful to speak to a genetic counsellor. Give feedback about this page.
Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all genetic conditions. 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. When an ICD detects an abnormal heart rhythm, it delivers electrical shocks to reset the heart back to normal.
However, the procedure may be done in certain athletes to allow return to competitive sports. The decision to implant an ICD , especially in children, needs to be carefully considered. Implanting an ICD is a major procedure and can result in inappropriate shocks and other complications. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
In addition to recommending medications or surgery, your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes to reduce your chances of a long QT syndrome-related fainting spell or sudden cardiac death. Worrying about possible dangerous heart rhythms associated with long QT syndrome can cause stress for you and your loved ones. Take steps to help your loved ones better understand how to support you and care for you in an emergency. If you develop signs and symptoms of long QT syndrome, contact your doctor.
After an initial exam, your doctor likely will refer you to a doctor trained in diagnosing and treating heart conditions cardiologist , a doctor trained in heart rhythm conditions electrophysiologist or a cardiologist who specializes in genetic heart conditions genetic cardiologist. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor.
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. Certain medicines can also trigger long QT syndrome, including some types of: antibiotics antihistamines antidepressants antipsychotics diuretics heart medicines But drug-induced long QT syndrome tends to only affect people who already have a tendency to develop the condition.
Diagnosing long QT syndrome A GP may recommend you have an ECG and refer you to a heart specialist cardiologist if: you have long QT syndrome you have blackouts during exercise you have a family history of unexpected and unexplained sudden death An ECG records your heart's rhythm and electrical activity. Treating long QT syndrome Most people with inherited long QT syndrome will need treatment with medicines. Living with long QT syndrome With the right treatment, it's possible to avoid long QT syndrome having a major impact on your day-to-day life.
Good sources of potassium include: bananas vegetables pulses nuts and seeds milk fish shellfish beef chicken turkey bread Always tell medical staff that you have long QT syndrome.
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