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.
Good questions, Robin. I'm curious, for the medical people out there, about the differences between men and women and QTc intervals. I've read a few articles now that say QT intervals in men and women are different. It seems that women between the onset of menses and menopause have longer QT intervals regardless of treatments (except for LQTS2). It sounds like androgens have an effect on QT and women's hormones cause longer QT even with treatment.
I just read one article that explained that women make up 60-70% of new diagnoses of LQTS currently. I'm wondering if the "normal QT measurements" are based on what's normal for men. When you take an athletic woman and measure her against normal standards for men, I'm wondering if the same set of measurements should indicate the same diagnosis for both sexes.
From: emedicine.medscape.com/.../157826-overview
Honestly I don't know the answer to your question. In pediatric and adolescent patients, I don't recall seeing a gender difference in normal QT ranges. I highly doubt gender differences have not been considered by the experts, though. These differences are probably small. In Robin's case, we really don't have the information that her cardiologist has. If her QTc is like 470, you might argue that maybe there is more fuss to this than necessary. If her QTc is like 540, then you can be sure this is not normal gender variation and is reason for concern. I would trust the experts who not only have a wealth of knowledge on the topic but also have all the details of Robins EKG available.
Robin, I don't know it ADHD per se widens your QT. ADHD stimulants, however, increase your risk of a dangerous rhythm in the context of prolonged QT.
Good questions, Robin. I'm curious, for the medical people out there, about the differences between men and women and QTc intervals. I've read a few articles now that say QT intervals in men and women are different. It seems that women between the onset of menses and menopause have longer QT intervals regardless of treatments (except for LQTS2). It sounds like androgens have an effect on QT and women's hormones cause longer QT even with treatment.
I just read one article that explained that women make up 60-70% of new diagnoses of LQTS currently. I'm wondering if the "normal QT measurements" are based on what's normal for men. When you take an athletic woman and measure her against normal standards for men, I'm wondering if the same set of measurements should indicate the same diagnosis for both sexes.
From: emedicine.medscape.com/.../157826-overview
Honestly I don't know the answer to your question. In pediatric and adolescent patients, I don't recall seeing a gender difference in normal QT ranges. I highly doubt gender differences have not been considered by the experts, though. These differences are probably small. In Robin's case, we really don't have the information that her cardiologist has. If her QTc is like 470, you might argue that maybe there is more fuss to this than necessary. If her QTc is like 540, then you can be sure this is not normal gender variation and is reason for concern. I would trust the experts who not only have a wealth of knowledge on the topic but also have all the details of Robins EKG available.
Robin, I don't know it ADHD per se widens your QT. ADHD stimulants, however, increase your risk of a dangerous rhythm in the context of prolonged QT.
