Jervell and Lange-Nielsen
Living with long QT syndrome
With appropriate treatment, such as medication or surgery, it should be possible to lead a relatively normal lifestyle. However, you may need to make some lifestyle adjustments to reduce your risk of having blackouts.
For example, your doctor may advise you not to exercise strenuously or play contact sports, and to try to avoid startling noises, such as alarm clocks or telephones with loud ringtones. Avoiding stressful situations may also be recommended.
Your doctor may prescribe potassium supplements or suggest that you increase the amount of potassium-rich foods in your diet. Good sources of potassium include:
- fruit such as bananas
- vegetables
- pulses
- nuts and seeds
- milk
- fish
- shellfish
- beef
- chicken
- turkey
- bread
Always tell medical staff that you have long QT syndrome. Any new medication, both prescription or over-the-counter, will need to be carefully checked to seeif it's suitable for you.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Long QT syndrome causes problems with the electrical activity of the heart. It's uncommon, occurring in around 1 in every 2,000 people.
Symptoms of long QT syndrome
There are usually no physical signs of long QT syndrome, and some people don't experience any symptoms. The most common symptoms are blackouts or seizures caused by the interruptions to the heart's r
What causes long QT syndrome?
To understand the underlying cause of long QT syndrome, it's important to know how the heart cells work. On the surface of each heart muscle cell are tiny pores, or ion channels. These open and close
What does 'long QT' mean?
Every time your heart beats, it produces tiny electrical signals. An electrocardiogram (ECG) machine traces these signals on paper a typical pattern is shown below. As the graphshows, each heart
Diagnosing long QT syndrome
Ifyour GPthinks you havelong QT syndrome after assessing your symptoms, they may recommend that you have an ECG and refer you to a heart specialist (cardiologist). In particular, if blackouts have oc
Treating long QT syndrome
Most people with inherited long QT syndrome will need treatment with medicines. Beta-blockers , such aspropranololornadolol, may be prescribed to help control irregular heartbeats and slow down your
Living with long QT syndrome
With appropriate treatment, such as medication or surgery, it should be possible to lead a relatively normal lifestyle. However, you may need to make some lifestyle adjustments to reduce your risk of
Information about you
If you have long QT syndrome, your clinical team may pass information about you on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS). This helps scientists look for
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