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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.
Make An Appointment

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 Long QT syndrome »

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.

What Is Long QT Syndrome?

Common Types of Inherited LQTS

Most people with long QT syndrome (LQTS) have the inherited form, which means that you are born with the condition. Of the known types of inherited LQTS, the most common are types 1, 2, and 3.

Long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1)

In LQT1, the potassium ion channels in the heart do not work properly, disrupting the heart’s electrical activity. Emotional stress or physical exercise, particularly swimming, can trigger arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat) in people with LQT1.

Torsades de pointes (French for ‘twisting of the points), the most dangerous type of ventricular tachycardia, occurs more often in people with LQT1. Although people with this condition may have more episodes of arrhythmia, the episodes usually stop on their own, without treatment. That means the episodes are less likely to be fatal.

Long QT syndrome type 2 (LQT2)

LQT2 results from insufficient potassium ion activity in the heart. This deficiency prevents proper electrical function in the heart and leads to arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).

Emotional stress, surprise, and startling can cause arrhythmias in people with LQT2. A common trigger is sudden, loud noises such as alarm clocks or car horns.

Long QT syndrome type 3 (LQT3)

LQT3 occurs when too little sodium flows through the heart’s ion channels. Because this sodium flow is essential to proper electrical activity in the heart, a lack of sodium flow can trigger an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm).

People with LQT3 often develop arrhythmias during sleep or rest, caused by a slow heart rate. Although people with LQT3 have fewer episodes of arrhythmia, these episodes are more likely to be fatal.

Frequently Asked Questions for Accessing Care

Considering Stanford
What areas of clinical research and innovation are Stanford doctors currently pursuing?

The Stanford Cardiac Arrhythmia Service is not only dedicated to treating its patients with the finest treatment options available, but also to advancing those treatments. Clinical research studies may be sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, other governmental agencies, or industry.

We're actively developing new approaches to arrhythmia diagnosis and treatment, including:

  • New device development
  • New treatments and diagnostic techniques for Atrial Fibrillation
  • New technologies for catheter ablation
  • Integration of imaging in catheter ablation
  • New treatments for arrhythmias in cardiomyopathies (hypertrophic, ischemic, nonischemic)
  • New approaches to ICD and Pacemaker therapy
  • Signal processing and mathematical techniques for diagnosis of arrhythmias
  • New diagnostic approaches to patients with inherited arrhythmic disorders

We work with the Stanford Biodesign Program—an innovative collaboration between medicine and engineering—to develop new technologies in medicine.

Additional Research and Innovation Advancements

  • A Stanford doctor co-invented a new form of ablation treatment called cryoablation (freezing), which has been used in over 200,000 patients worldwide, including patients with atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia.
  • The Stanford Center for Arrhythmia Research has assembled more than 40 faculty who represent numerous disciplines and are collaborating to solve arrhythmia related problems.
  • Stanford doctors have conducted clinical studies leading to approval of the radiofrequency energy ablation system measuring contact force to improve ablation outcomes. Learn more about radiofrequency ablation »
  • Stanford doctors and surgeons were in the first FDA clinical trial to test hybrid surgical-catheter ablation, combining minimally invasive surgery with a catheter-based procedure to treat complex atrial fibrillation. 
What insurance plans does Stanford Health Care accept?

We participate in a wide range of insurance plans. View the list of insurance plans accepted by Stanford Health Care »

Have insurance or pre-authorization questions? The Patient Financial Clearance team is available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., to answer your questions. Please call 650-724-4445 or 1-877-291-7335 (toll free).

How do I find the right doctor for me?

When choosing a doctor, it’s important to consider the doctor’s clinical training, experience and expertise in a specialized area that matches your health care needs.

You can find the right Stanford doctor for you by using our doctor directory and filtering the results based on a medical category, specialty, or doctor’s last name. View a list of cardiac arrhythmia doctors »

What support services are available for patients with arrhythmia?

We offer a number of support services for arrhythmia, including cardiovascular support groups, interpreter services, nutrition services, a Lifestyle Modification Program, integrative medicine, a health library, and a variety of classes and events. Learn more about our support services »

Do I need a doctor referral to be seen at Cardiac Arrhythmia Service?

You can call Cardiac Arrhythmia Service directly to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. Call 650-723-6459 to make an appointment.

Is financial assistance available?

Yes, Stanford Health Care offers financial assistance for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Meet with one of our financial counselors to find the best approach to paying for your health care. Financial counselors are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Learn more about financial assistance services »

First Appointment
What should I bring to my first appointment?

Managing treatment for arrhythmia is a highly personalized process. Our clinic receptionists will confirm the information you should bring with you prior to your first appointment. For your first appointment, please bring the following test results and information:

You will also need to have the following information with you when you check in:

  • Insurance card
  • A form of payment for any co-pays or deductibles
  • One form of photo ID:
    • Valid state-issued driver’s license
    • Valid state-issued ID card
    • Valid passport
    • Valid U.S. Military ID card
    • Valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card
I need directions to the clinic. Where do I park?

The Cardiac Arrhythmia Service is located at the following address. Valet and self-parking options are available for a fee. For more information, please see Directions and Parking information for Cardiac Arrhythmia Service:

Please plan to arrive 20-30 minutes prior to your appointment time due to construction near the main hospital campus. This will allow you plenty of time to park, locate your clinic and complete any additional paperwork.  

How do I send my medical record to SHC?

Please print, fill out, and return the Medical Record Release Form to your new patient coordinator. The medical release form is an authorization form for external facilities to release medical records to Stanford Health Care.

Can my family member or friend attend my appointment?

Always feel free to bring someone with you to your appointments. A family member or friend can help ask questions, remember the information your care team gives you, and provide support.

What is the best way to get all my questions answered during my appointment?

Write down your questions before your appointment and rank them in order of importance, beginning with the most important ones. If there isn’t enough time to have all your questions answered during your appointment, ask your doctor who you can speak with to get your other questions answered. 

Current Patients
How do I reach someone if I have questions about my care?

Current patients may reach one of our outstanding arrhythmia nurse specialists during clinic hours at 650-723-7111. For after-hours, reach the on-call arrhythmia doctor at 650-723-7111.

How do I pay my bill?

You have multiple options when it comes to paying your bill.

  • Online:
    • You can pay your bill in MyHealth or the MyHealth mobile app, our secure health information tool for patients
    • You can also pay as a guest without creating a login.
  • By mail:  
    • Stanford Health Care Hospital Payment Processing P.O. Box 740715, Los Angeles, CA 90074-0715
  • By calling a Customer Service Representative at 1-800-549-3720, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information about billing, visit our Billing page. 

Patient billing services at Stanford Health Care are provided by the billing office. To inquire about a bill that you received, please contact customer service: 

Stanford Hospital Billing
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
1-800-549-3720

What support resources are available to me?

We offer a number of support services for arrhythmia patients, including cardiovascular support groups, interpreter services, nutrition services, a Lifestyle Modification Program, integrative medicine, a health library, and a variety of classes and events. Learn more about our support services »

How do I cancel or reschedule my appointment?

Please call our clinic receptionists at 650-723-6459. They are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help you reschedule or cancel your appointment. 

How do I know if a Clinical Trial is right for me?

To determine if a clinical trial is right for you, talk to your doctor. He or she can refer you to a research coordinator for more information on studies that may be right for your specific condition.

You can also find the guidelines for who can participate in a particular clinical trial online. However, it is best to work with your doctor to decide the right care approach for your needs.

View list of open, arrhythmia clinical trials at Stanford »

International Patients
I live overseas. How do I access Stanford care?

Many of our programs are available to international patients.

Our International Medicine Services team can help you find the right doctor, estimate medical costs, book travel, and get you information about Stanford programs and services.

Please call +1 650-723-8561 or email IMS@stanfordhealthcare.org to get started. 

Clinical Trials

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Open Clinical Trials

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Clinical Trials for Long QT Syndrome

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.

There are no open clinical trials for Long QT syndrome at this time.

To learn more about the clinical trials we offer, contact Gerri O'Riordan at 650-725-5597.

View Closed Clinical Trials Types

Our Clinics

Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease

Our arrhythmia team includes specialists in inherited cardiovascular disease and genetic counseling and testing. We provide comprehensive care with a compassionate touch for people with long QT syndrome and other inherited arrhythmias.

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RELATED CLINICS

300 Pasteur Drive
 Heart Clinic 1, Clinic A21
 Stanford, CA 94305
Phone: 650-736-7878
300 Pasteur Drive
 Heart Clinic 1, Clinic A21
 Stanford, CA 94305
Phone: 650-736-7878