| Author | Message | ||
     Lostid Username: Lostid Registered: 08-2007 |
Hello, My sister has recently been diagnosed with long qt syndrome, so everyone in our family were given holters for 24 hour test and recently we got the results back, everyone except me and my father have long qt syndrome. We recently received the envelopes with results, and for me it said that i have sometimes lengthened qtc period, and since i will only see my doctor in one month i am curious to what that means.. My holter results are: Average heart frequency 74 beats per minute Min 42 beats per minute at 00:12 Max 162 beats per minute at 14:13 Average qtc interval 429 Max 570 at 23:00 Min 380 Qtc is above 440 18% of the time, and above 450 8% of the time What does this mean in my case, will i be given beta-blockers, i am curently active in sports(bodybuilding) | ||
| Bionic Roadrunner Username: Bionic_roadrunner Registered: 08-2006 |
Hello Lostid, Have you read the FAQ on the home page of this site? If not, click on this link and it will help you understand about LQTS. http://www.qtsyndrome.ch/faq.html Your holter shows that your average heart rate is 74 beats per minute. Your highest rate was 162 beats at 2:13pm, the lowest was 42 beats at 12 minutes past midnight. Your average QT corrected (QTc is the QT corrected for the number of heart beats)was 429 Your highest measurement was 570 at 11:00pm and your lowest was 380. So, 18% of the time, your QT is at 440 (440 is considered higher limit of normal) and above 450 8% of the time which is considered borderline. You do have peaks like the one at 570 which is considered high. I am not a doctor, but if they consider you borderline, you will probably get beta-blockers. They will tell you how much exercise you can or cannot do. I have LQT2 and have been a runner for 30 years without any problem while exercising. Depending on the type of LQT3 (which can only be decided through genetic testing) the restrictions are very low or greater. They usually recommend non competitive sports. You must understand that the QT length varies throughout the day, so you could have twenty EKGs that would show twenty different measurements. Doctors usually like to do a stress test which usually shows more accurate measurements. Make sure you are consulting a cardiologist who specializes in electrophysiology. I hope this helps. Good luck to you and your family. | ||
| Lostid Username: Lostid Registered: 08-2007 |
Yes, i've read that faq page, but the i was little confused, because i'm at the borderline of qt. I've never experienced anykind of nausea or fainting, not even during trainings.. But i've read many people get no symptoms but still have qt syndrome I am not into bodybuilding professionaly(i dont compete) but my trainings are quite intense(no pain no gain in bodybuilding) You say you do running, do you jog, or do you also do sprints(pushing yourself to the limit ) And thanks for the information, you've been very helpful | ||
| Bionic Roadrunner Username: Bionic_roadrunner Registered: 08-2006 |
Lostid, I do not run fast any more. I used to do some races, but since I have been diagnosed with LQTS, I do not push myself anymore and just jog. Even when I raced I never had any problems. Have you been tested genetically? It would be good to do so if you can afford it financially or if your insurance pays for it. Knowing your LQT type can be very helpful to decide the type of treatment you need. The borderline cases are difficult to deal with because as you say the patients seem very healthy and it is difficult to restrain their acivity for no apparent reason. But remember if you are borderline, you still should take beta-blockers as a precautionnary measure. Best wishes and stay well  . | ||
| Lostid Username: Lostid Registered: 08-2007 |
No, i havent been genetically tested, but i'll look into that.. What exactly do these beta-blockers effect, how do they minimise the effects of long qt? I've read they have little side-effects. What about caffeine, arginine, taurine, substances that increase heart rate, can i still take those? Thanks again for the information | ||
| Bionic Roadrunner Username: Bionic_roadrunner Registered: 08-2006 |
I do not know anything about arginine or taurine, but you should talk to your doctor about any supplement or medication you take. Here is a website with the official list of medicine to be avoided if you have LQTS because they have the potential to prolong the QT: www.qtdrugs.org Beta blockers block the action of adrenaline, stabilizing the heart beat, slowing the heart rate and lowering the blood pressure, thus preventing arrhytmias. Caffeine should be taken in moderation (with or without heart problem . But this is my opinion... Hopes this helps. | ||
| Debbie Username: Debbie Registered: 11-2006 |
I'm boarderline and have been on Toprol XL for the last 4 years. I still drink coffee but have cut down to only 2 cups a day. When I first started taking it I was more tired but that has improved, At this time my doctor is seeing if my insurance will pay for the gentic testing as it cost 5,000 and there is a chance they won't beable to find it Mayo clinic tried but no luck. We think that we have LQT 3. |