Causes
How We Can Help You
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a rare disorder of the heart’s electrical system that can lead to dangerous heart rhythms, fainting, and sudden cardiac arrest. At Stanford, our internationally renowned electrophysiologists have the skill and experience to provide superior care for this complex condition.
Our inherited heart disease program is one of few in the country offering the latest cardiovascular genetics services, advanced electrophysiology treatments, and access to both adult and pediatric cardiology expertise to care for family members of all ages.
We provide expert care for LQTS at the Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease.
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WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR LONG QT SYNDROME
- Nationally recognized expertise in LQTS and other inherited arrhythmias.
- Advanced diagnostic services that combine the expertise of electrophysiologists and cardiovascular genetic counselors with cardiac MRI and other screening technologies.
- Personalized treatment plans to prevent life-threatening arrhythmias and help you manage LQTS, so you can live better with this chronic disease.
- World-class electrophysiology treatments, from the latest medical therapies to device implantation, including cardioverter-defibrillator and pacemaker implantation.
- Genetic counseling services to assess your inherited risk for Long QT syndrome and develop a care plan for you and your family.
- Compassionate support for lifestyle changes, including psychologists trained in helping families with inherited arrhythmias.
- Active research and clinical trial program to better understand the genetic causes of Long QT syndrome and develop new therapies.
To make an appointment, please call 650-721-4363.
INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?
The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion Program offers you easy access to our nationally recognized doctors. It’s all done remotely, and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!
Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.
Treatment for Long QT Syndrome
As a genetic condition, Long QT syndrome affects the whole family. We focus on expert, compassionate care that meets your family’s needs. With highly skilled genetic counselors who work with our doctors and nurses, we offer exceptional genetic counseling and risk management that saves lives.
Although there is no cure for LQTS, we can treat the disorder to prevent fainting and dangerous arrhythmias. We work with you to customize a treatment plan that supports your health needs. We take into consideration the type of LQTS you have and whether you have experienced fainting or cardiac arrest.
Learn more about our world-class cardiovascular genetics counseling for long QT syndrome.
At Stanford, you have access to a wide range of treatment options. We discuss these options with you to decide what is right for you.
Lifestyle changes
We partner with you to develop a personalized care plan to avoid potential arrhythmia triggers and help you establish safe levels of exercise. Common lifestyle issues include:
- Medications that may be causing LQTS
- Low levels of electrolytes: sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium
- Strenuous physical activity or loud, startling noises
Medication management
Depending on your individual case, you may need to take beta-blockers or other medications to slow your heart rate.
Medical devices
A pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) helps maintain normal heart rhythms. We implant these devices in your chest during a minor procedure.
Treatment for underlying conditions
Certain types of thyroid disease can cause LQTS. Treating the thyroid condition can relieve your symptoms and avoid complications of LQTS.