Brugada Syndrome – What is it, Causes and Treatments
Brugada Syndrome – What it is, Causes and Treatments that many are still unaware of. In addition, Brugada Syndrome is the most common cause of sudden death (12% of cases) in individuals without structural heart changes. This syndrome is an inherited arrhythmia that causes the ventricles to beat so quickly that they can prevent blood from circulating efficiently in the body.
When it occurs (also called ventricular fibrillation), the person passes out and may die within minutes if the heart’s rhythm is not restored. Brugada Syndrome has a higher incidence in adult males in adulthood, and sudden death cases appear around 40 years of age, but have been diagnosed at all ages.
That’s why it’s important to screen the whole family. Not everyone who has this syndrome will have arrhythmias. However, you cannot know which ones will have problems. If the patient has any fainting, it could be related to Brugada Syndrome , the practice indicating that this person has a very high risk of malignant arrhythmias.
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Causes of Brugada Syndrome: The heart of someone with this syndrome is structurally normal, however, there are problems with electrical activity. To properly understand the underlying cause, it is important to know how the heart’s cells work.
On the surface of each heart muscle cell are tiny pores, or ion channels. These open and let electrically charged sodium, calcium and potassium atoms (ions) flow in and out of cells. An electrical signal spreads from the top of the heart to the bottom, causing the heart to contract and pump blood.
Symptoms of Brugada Syndrome: Warning symptoms usually start in adulthood (in 30-40 years), but can appear as early as early childhood. They include:
- Syncope;
- Seizures;
- Arrhythmia;
- Palpitations;
- Dizziness;
- Shortness of breathe;
- Feeling faint;
- cardiac arrest ;
- Sudden death.
Treatment for Brugada Syndrome: In addition to the use of antiarrhythmics, the implantable automatic defibrillator (ICD – device that identifies and treats cardiac arrhythmias with an electric shock) is the only form of treatment for patients with this Syndrome .
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Note: Not everyone with Brugada Syndrome will experience the arrhythmia, when when it does, it can be fatal.