What does QT mean in Long QT Syndrome?
Overview. 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.
What does QT mean in cardiology?
The Q-T interval is the section on the electrocardiogram (ECG) – that represents the time it takes for the electrical system to fire an impulse through the ventricles and then recharge. It is translated to the time it takes for the heart muscle to contract and then recover.
What does QT interval indicate?
QT interval represents the duration of ventricular electrical systole, which includes ventricular activation and recovery. It is measured from the beginning of the QRS complex to the end of the T wave.
What does borderline QT interval mean?
The diagnosis of “borderline” QT prolongation or even “borderline LQTS” is commonly given when a patient has a QTc value between 440 and 470 ms.
Can you live a long life with long QT syndrome?
Living With Long QT syndrome (LQTS) usually is a lifelong condition. The risk of having an abnormal heart rhythm that leads to fainting or sudden cardiac arrest may lessen as you age. However, the risk never completely goes away.
Can anxiety cause prolonged QT?
Conclusion. High anxiety is associated with increased QT dispersion, which may predispose to cardiac arrhythmias.
Should I worry about long QT syndrome?
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.
When should I worry about prolonged QT?
A prolonged QT interval is typically defined in adults as a corrected QT interval exceeding 440 ms in males and 460 ms in females on resting electrocardiogram (ECG). We worry about QT prolongation because it reflects delayed myocardial repolarization, which can lead to torsades de pointes (TdP).