Posted on Wednesday 22 November 2006
Came back from the doc’s today.
Seems like i got Long Q-T syndrome in me heart.
From American Heart Assc.,
Long Q-T Syndrome
What is the long Q-T syndrome (LQTS)?
Long Q-T syndrome is an infrequent, hereditary disorder of the heart’s electrical rhythm that can occur in otherwise-healthy people. It usually affects children or young adults.
When the heart contracts, it emits an electrical signal. This signal can be recorded on an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) and produces a characteristic waveform. The different parts of this waveform are designated by letters — P, Q, R, S and T. The Q-T interval represents the time for electrical activation and inactivation of the ventricles, the heart’s lower chambers. A doctor can measure the time it takes for the Q-T interval to occur (in fractions of a second), and can tell if it occurs in a normal amount of time. If it takes longer than normal, it’s called a prolonged Q-T interval.
What are the symptoms of LQTS?
In the long Q-T syndrome, the above-described Q-T interval is prolonged. People with this syndrome are susceptible to an abnormally rapid heart rhythm (arrhythmia) called “Torsade des pointes.” When this occurs, the heart muscle can’t contract effectively, and the normal volume of blood is reduced to the body and — most important — to the brain. If the brain is starved of oxygen, the person faints within seconds.
If the heart can’t regain its normal rhythm, it may go into spasms that lead to a deadly arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation. Without immediate emergency treatment, death follows within minutes.
People with this syndrome may show prolongation of the Q-T interval during physical exercise, intense emotion (such as fright, anger or pain), or by a startling noise.
In one type of inherited long Q-T syndrome, the person is also deaf. Studies of otherwise-healthy people with LQTS indicate that they had at least one episode of blacking out (fainting) by the age of 10. The majority also had a family member(s) with a long Q-T interval. It should be emphasized that people with LQTS don’t necessarily have a prolonged Q-T interval all the time. Thus, when they have an ECG (as during a routine physical examination), the Q-T interval may be normal.
Some healthy young people may not have a routine ECG, and LQTS may be suspected because of their family history or because of unexplained fainting episodes. In any family where repeated episodes of fainting or a history of sudden death exist, the cause(s), including long Q-T syndrome, should be investigated.
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One example of a heart defect that affects one of every 5,000 people, typically children and young adults, is Long QT Syndrome (LQTS). LQTS is a disorder of the electrical system of the heart, which can be genetic or acquired. Electrical defects predispose an affected person to a very fast heart rhythm. The rhythm is too fast for the heart to beat effectively, so the blood flow to the brain decreases. This causes the blood pressure to fall rapidly, causing a sudden loss of consciousness – even death.
Signs and symptoms of LQTS include:
· Loss of consciousness (fainting) during or immediately after exercise
· Loss of consciousness when startled
· Consistent or unusual chest pain and/or shortness of breath during exercise
· Family members with sudden, unexplained death
· Family members with known diagnosis of LQTS
“In too many cases, the first symptom of LQTS can often be the last. We want families to be aware of this disorder and to examine family histories to see if they are at risk,” said Robert Campbell, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Sibley Heart Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Approximately 4,000 children and young adults die from LQTS every year. Increasing awareness of this often genetic disease can help save many lives. Fortunately, most of these deaths are preventable if the condition is recognized and treated.
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Got an appt made with a cardiologist on the 7th.
wish me luck,
Dua Pai Lang
