Long QT syndrome 

Written By Mateo Duran

Long QT syndrome 

What is Long QT Syndrome

Long QT Syndrome is a rare and potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorder. It affects the heart’s electrical system by prolonging the QT interval, essentially the time it takes for the heart to “reset” between beats. This delay leads to dangerous arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), which cause fainting, seizures, or, in extreme cases, sudden cardiac arrest. 

LQTS can be genetically passed down or acquired through certain medications or conditions that impact electrolyte balance. Though it often presents with no outward symptoms, LQTS is a hidden danger that strikes without warning. It is especially dangerous during intense physical or emotional stress. 

How it affects an individual

LQTS can dramatically change a person’s life (Physically, emotionally, and socially)

Physical Impact:

- Risk of fainting, seizures, or cardiac arrest (Percent is higher during exercise or emotional stress

- Limitations on physical activity, especially for athletes or active individuals.

- Side effects from beta blockers, such as fatigue, dizziness, or reduced stamina

- Routine tests like EKGs, heart monitors, and blood work become part of daily life

Mental and Emotional Impact:

  • A sudden shift in identity, especially for athletes or those who live active lifestyles

  • Anxiety or fear of triggering a cardiac event 

  • Feeling isolated, fragile, or “different” due to lifestyle restrictions

  • Loss of motivation or sense of purpose after diagnosis

What to do against it

Medical Treatment

  • Beta Blockers: Medication to reduce heart rate and prevent arrhythmias

  • ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators): For severe cases, these devices monitor heart rhythm and deliver shocks if needed

  • Avoiding QT-prolonging medications and monitoring electrolyte levels. 

Lifestyle Modifications 

  • Avoiding strenuous activity 

  • Reducing emotional and physical stressors

  • Informing coaches, teachers, and peers of the condition for safety

  • Take caffeine out of your diet

Mental Health Support

  • Therapy or counseling to cope with life changes

  • Support groups or connecting with others who have LQTS

Ongoing Monitoring

  • Regular cardiology visits, EKGs, and possibly genetic testing for family members 

Personal Anecdote

“You can’t play sports for the rest of your life.”

Alone in the cardiologist’s office, I felt something unfamiliar in my chest, not a physical pain but something deeper. This wasn’t soreness from training or a sports injury. This was the pain of a broken heart, and unlike anything I’d ever known.

The diagnosis? Long QT Syndrome.

The room was filled with cheerful paintings and a rainbow “How do you feel today?” chart, but everything seemed to lose color. I sat there in silence, half-listening as the doctor explained how my heartbeat was too long, too irregular—and too dangerous. My heart, the thing that carried me through championships and records, had betrayed me.

No more sports. No more running. No more freedom.

At the time, I was at the peak of my athletic career. I had led my soccer team to the playoffs for the first time in school history and earned the title of MVP. I was one of the fastest cross-country runners in the region. But all of it, everything I worked for, ended in one appointment.

I lost more than just sports. I lost my escape, my identity. I shut down. My grades plummeted. I drifted from friends. I was angry, confused, and deeply depressed.

How I overcame it 

But even in the midst of the darkness, I found a spark–a desire to understand, to get answers. I started asking questions. I worked with my doctors, and eventually, they referred me to one of the top electrocardiologists on the West Coast.

I wasn’t expecting much. Just another appointment. Another reminder of what I lost.

But this doctor was different. He walked in with energy and, for the first time in months, hope.

He told me something no one else had dared say:

“If you take the risk, you can play sports again.”

He explained the risk: I had the same chance of a heart attack as someone getting into a car crash in L.A., not zero, but manageable. If I were willing, he’d clear me.

I took the risk.

Since then, I’ve reclaimed my life. My grades bounced back (ending with a 4.6 GPA). My mental health improved. I even started a business.

LQTS still lives in me, but it no longer defines me.

Conclusion

Long QT Syndrome is a life-altering diagnosis, but not a life-ending one. It can tear your world apart in an instant, but with the right knowledge, support, and mindset, you can take your life back. 

The journey isn’t easy. It’s filled with fear, limitations, and setbacks, but you are not broken. Your heart may be different, but different doesn’t mean weak. 

I’ve learned that setbacks are temporary, and identity is bigger than any diagnosis. As I move forward, I carry my story, not as a weight, but as a reminder: I’ve faced the unimaginable and rebuilt myself. 

Slowly but surely, my broken heart is healing.

“Long QT Syndrome.” StatPearls, by Mohammad Al‑Akchar and Momin S. Siddique, StatPearls Publishing, updated 26 Dec. 2022, NCBI Bookshelf, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441860/

Crotti, Lia, Federica Dagradi, and Peter J. Schwartz. “Long QT Syndrome: From Genetic Basis to Treatment.” Cardiogenetics, vol. 1, no. s1, 2011, article e2. MDPI, https://doi.org/10.4081/cardiogenetics.2011.s1.e2. 

“From Genes to Clinical Management: A Comprehensive Review of Long QT Syndrome Pathogenesis and Treatment.” Heart Rhythm O2, vol. 5, no. 8, August 2024, pp. 573‑586. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hroo.2024.07.006.

“Impact of Drug Induced Long QT Syndrome: A Systematic Review.” Karuppiah Arunachalam et al., Journal of Clinical Medicine Research, vol. 10, no. 5, May 2018, pp. 384‑390. JCMR, https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr3338w. 

Mateo Duran
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