I was recently diagnosed with a Long Q Rhythm. I'm wondering if there is anyone else out there with this problem.
My Dr. recommends Beta Blocker and no more racing. He also commented that I've had this condition all my life so I'll probably be ok.
I would like to PM with anyone out there who is swimming with a similar situation. I am feeling very conflicted and would like to talk to someone in the same boat.
I read the paragraph about the sisters who swam in Nationals with a Long Q diagnosis, in fact that article motivated me to go to the electrophysicist (sp) and get this checked out by a specialist.
Here's a question for the medical professionals out there: Where does the faulty heart rhythm originate? The brain, a chemical reaction, the smooth cardiac muscle itself, or maybe in the nervous system. I'm still trying to figure this out and I don't understand where the breakdown begins. In essence I'm saying perhaps my heart is great, it's just some kind of faulty wiring job. Am I correct?
You are correct Robin. Your heart muscle is probably as strong as can be. There are several potential origins of the long QT. It can be intrinsic in the heart itself, meaning the ion channels in the heart muscle cells which allow repolarization can be different than normal. Electrolyte imbalances and drugs can artificially cause the same ion channel problems. Sometimes it can be due to the nervous system. I sometimes see patients with high vagal tone, or high vagal nerve activity with QTs a bit prolonged. The vagal nerve is the parasympathetic (relaxing) nerve. I recognize these parents as the light headed, fainting types. It can also be the other way around where the long QT causes a really slow heart rate by blocking every other beat, and people will be light headed.
Now, I answered about where the long QT originates, but you asked specifically about the arrhythmia. Well, when the heart is beating fast (exercise, fear, etc.) there is a greater chance that one new depolarization from the atria will catch the ventricles partially depolarized, and as I explained earlier that can be a recipe for the crazy rhythm. You are better off either fully ready to accept the new depolarization or completely refractory.
Hope I answered your question, and Gull please chime in as you are more the expert.
Here's a question for the medical professionals out there: Where does the faulty heart rhythm originate? The brain, a chemical reaction, the smooth cardiac muscle itself, or maybe in the nervous system. I'm still trying to figure this out and I don't understand where the breakdown begins. In essence I'm saying perhaps my heart is great, it's just some kind of faulty wiring job. Am I correct?
You are correct Robin. Your heart muscle is probably as strong as can be. There are several potential origins of the long QT. It can be intrinsic in the heart itself, meaning the ion channels in the heart muscle cells which allow repolarization can be different than normal. Electrolyte imbalances and drugs can artificially cause the same ion channel problems. Sometimes it can be due to the nervous system. I sometimes see patients with high vagal tone, or high vagal nerve activity with QTs a bit prolonged. The vagal nerve is the parasympathetic (relaxing) nerve. I recognize these parents as the light headed, fainting types. It can also be the other way around where the long QT causes a really slow heart rate by blocking every other beat, and people will be light headed.
Now, I answered about where the long QT originates, but you asked specifically about the arrhythmia. Well, when the heart is beating fast (exercise, fear, etc.) there is a greater chance that one new depolarization from the atria will catch the ventricles partially depolarized, and as I explained earlier that can be a recipe for the crazy rhythm. You are better off either fully ready to accept the new depolarization or completely refractory.
Hope I answered your question, and Gull please chime in as you are more the expert.
