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http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/qt/
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It's easy to trigger little "attacks" that can lead to death with LQTS. Sports, scary movies, even alarm clocks are potentially dangerous.
Long QT Syndrome occurs in one in five thousand people.
More than half of the people who have untreated, inherited types of LQTS die within 10 years. However, there are treatments.
Some of these lifestyle changes and treatments include:
•Avoiding strenuous physical activity or startling noises.
•Adding more potassium to your diet.
•Having an implanted medical device, such as a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator. These devices help control abnormal heart rhythms
•Taking heart medicines called beta blockers. These medicines help prevent sudden cardiac arrest.
By: Bailey Noah
On the surface of each heart muscle cell are tiny pores called ion channels. Ion channels open and close to let electrically charged sodium, calcium, and potassium atoms (ions) flow into and out of each cell. This generates the heart's electrical activity.
In people who have LQTS, the ion channels may not work well, or there may be too few of them. This may disrupt electrical activity in the heart's ventricles.
The name Long QT Syndrome comes from the measurement of the heart's contractions by electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). When the heart contracts, it emits an electrical signal that can be recorded on the ECG. This signal produces a waveform, and different parts of this waveform are designated by letters—P,Q, R, S and T. The Q-T interval marks the time for electrical activation and inactivation of the ventricles, which are the lower chambers of the heart. In people with the Long QT Syndrome, the Q-T interval takes longer than normal to occur. It should be noted, however, that tests do not always reveal Long QT Syndrome. People with the disorder do not necessarily have a prolonged Q-T interval all the time, and at the time they have an ECG, the Q-T interval may be normal.
Steve Konowalchuk (retired Colorado Avalanche forward); diagnosed with long-QT syndrome in 2006.
Kayla Burt (retired University of Washington Women’s basketball player); diagnosed with long-QT syndrome in 2002 after a acrdiac arrest.
Dana Vollmer (2004 Olympic gold medal in swimming); initially diagnosed with long-QT syndrome. Recent tests seem to have reversed the previous diagnosis.
Marc-Vivien Foe (football player for Cameroon, died in 2003 during a game); long-QT syndrome is suspected to be the cause for his death.
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of the heart's electrical activity. It can cause sudden, uncontrollable, dangerous arrhythmia's (ah-RITH-me-ahs) in response to exercise or stress. Arrhythmia's are problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat.