Can you live a long life with long QT syndrome?
What happens if it is not treated? LQTS is usually a lifelong condition. The risk of having an abnormal heart rhythm that leads to fainting or cardiac arrest may lessen as you get older, especially in men after age 40. However, the risk never completely goes away.
Is long QT syndrome life-threatening?
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an abnormal feature of the heart’s electrical system that can lead to a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia called torsades de pointes (pronounced torsad de pwant). Torsades de pointes may result in syncope (fainting) or sudden cardiac death.
How does long QT syndrome affect the heart?
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a heart rhythm condition that can potentially cause fast, chaotic heartbeats. These rapid heartbeats might trigger you to suddenly faint. Some people with the condition have seizures. In some severe cases, LQTS can cause sudden death.
Can you drink alcohol with long QT syndrome?
This study suggests that moderate alcohol use in men is not beneficial for heart function via QT interval or heart rate but could be detrimental.
How do you fix a prolonged QT interval?
Medications used to treat long QT syndrome may include:
- Beta blockers. These heart drugs are standard therapy for most patients with long QT syndrome.
- Mexiletine. Taking this heart rhythm drug in combination with a beta blocker might help shorten the QT interval and reduce your risk of fainting, seizure or sudden death.
Can you drive with long QT syndrome?
You must not drive if you’ve suffered from: loss of consciousness or fainting. another cardiovascular condition that might affect your ability to drive safely – you must check with your doctor before you drive.
Why is QT corrected?
Background— Heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) is the traditional method of assessing the duration of repolarization. Prolonged heart rate-corrected QT interval is associated with higher risk of mortality in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and in the general population.
Can caffeine cause prolonged QT?
The electrocardiographic effects of caffeine, the main ingredient in energy drinks, have been extensively studied; there is no convincing evidence that caffeine alone causes QTc prolongation.
Does caffeine prolong QT interval?
Consuming caffeinated energy drinks is associated with QTc interval prolongation, which is a risk factor for torsades de pointes, according to a small study in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Does magnesium shorten QT?
Because magnesium does not affect the QT interval, it is not possible to measure response.