A rare and life-threatening condition that causes arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythms) is called Brugada syndrome. Sometimes, this condition is inherited. Generally, those who suffer from this syndrome have an increased risk of irregular heart rhythms that begin in the ventricles (lower heart chambers).
This condition is often treated with preventive measures (such as reducing fever and avoiding medicines that trigger abnormal heart rhythms). Some people with Brugada syndrome may need a medical device known as an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).
Symptoms
In most cases, this syndrome does not cause symptoms. That’s why many people do not know they have this syndrome. Check below some symptoms often associated with Brugada syndrome:
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeats
- Seizures
- Fast and chaotic heartbeat
- Gasping and labored breathing, especially during nighttime
- Fainting
- Dizziness
The primary symptom of Brugada syndrome is an irregular outcome on an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) that is used to measure the electrical activity of the heart.
Sometimes, it is difficult to diagnose this condition because it causes symptoms similar to other heart rhythm disorders. That’s why if you experience any of the previous symptoms, you should see a doctor to determine what exactly causes the symptoms. Seek emergency medical care if you faint and think it is caused by a heart condition.
You can ask your doctor about tests to check the risk of Brugada syndrome if a parent or sibling has this condition.
Causes
This is a heart rhythm disorder. Normally, each heartbeat is triggered by an electrical signal that is produced in the upper right chamber of the heart. Thereafter, certain small pores (also called channels) direct the electrical activity that makes the heartbeat.
In people with Brugada syndrome, there is a change in these channels that causes the heart to beat faster than usual, which leads to a life-threatening heart rhythm (also called ventricular fibrillation). Thus, the heart muscle does not pump enough blood for the body’s needs. Moreover, even irregular rhythms that last even for a short time may cause fainting. When irregular heart rhythms do not stop, it may lead to sudden cardiac death.
Check below some causes of Brugada syndrome:
- A structural heart problem that is often challenging to identify
- Misuse of prescription medicines or cocaine
- Electrolyte imbalances (electrolytes are certain chemicals that help send electrical signals through the body)
Risk Factors
Healthcare providers have identified some factors that could increase your risk of developing Brugada syndrome. These include:
- Family history of Brugada syndrome – The risk of developing this syndrome significantly increases if you have a parent or sibling with this condition.
- Sex – Males are more likely to develop this syndrome than females.
- Race – This life-threatening heart condition mostly occurs in Asians than in people of other races.
- Fever – While fever cannot cause Brugada syndrome itself, it may irritate the heart and trigger fainting or sudden cardiac arrest in people with this syndrome, especially in young children.
What Are The Potential Complications of Brugada Syndrome?
People with this syndrome may also experience some complications that require immediate treatment. These include:
- Sudden cardiac arrest – Without treatment, this complication causes a sudden loss of heart function, breathing, and consciousness. If it occurs when you sleeping, it is deadly. However, with fast and proper treatment, it is possible to survive.
- Fainting – When fainting occurs in people with Brugada syndrome, immediate treatment is required. Otherwise, it may lead to death.
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this condition. However, you can perform some genetic tests to check your risk of developing the disease.
Diagnosis
In most cases, this condition is diagnosed in adults and sometimes in adolescents. It can rarely be diagnosed in young children. Healthcare professionals usually perform a physical examination and listen to the heart using a stethoscope to diagnose this syndrome. They may also perform some tests to confirm the condition and exclude other diseases that cause similar symptoms. For example:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) – This is a quick and painless test used to measure the electrical activity of the heart. It involves certain electrodes (sensors) that are attached to the chest and sometimes the arms and legs. It helps identify abnormal heart rhythm and structure. If the results show a normal heart rhythm, you may need a portable device that measures the electrical activity for 24 hours. This device is called a Holter monitor.
- Echocardiogram – This test uses sound waves to make detailed pictures of the heart. While it cannot diagnose Brugada syndrome, it may help find abnormal heart structures.
- Electrophysiological (EP) testing and mapping (also called electrophysiological study) – It involves a catheter (a long and flexible tube tipped with electrodes) that is inserted into the blood vessels to different heart areas.
Treatment
Treatment for people with Brugada syndrome usually includes medicines, catheter procedures, surgery, or implantable devices that control heartbeats. The treatment also depends on the risk of developing a serious arrhythmia. Being at high risk involves a personal history of serious arrhythmias, fainting spells, and having survived sudden cardiac arrest.
People with Brugada syndrome and without symptoms usually require a specific treatment because the risk of serious arrhythmia is low in most cases. Therefore, doctors take certain steps to reduce the risk of arrhythmia. These include:
- Treat fever aggressively because it is known to trigger irregular heartbeats in people with this syndrome.
- Do not use medicines that trigger irregular heartbeats – These include certain antidepressants, heart medicines, and others. Furthermore, heavy alcohol drinking may also elevate the risk of irregular heart rhythm. Anyway, discuss it with your healthcare professional about any supplements or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines you want to take.
- Do not participate in competitive sports – Heavy training significantly increases the risk of a serious irregular heart rhythm.
Medicines
Sometimes, physicians may prescribe certain medications for people with Brugada syndrome to prevent life-threatening heart rhythms. They usually recommend Quinidine alone or in combination with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).
Surgery and Other Treatments
The following treatments are often recommended by doctors for people who have had cardiac arrest or fainting episodes. Check below some examples:
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) – This is a small device in the chest that monitors the heart rhythm every time. When needed, it delivers small electrical impulses that help control heartbeats.
- Catheter ablation – This treatment is recommended by doctors when an ICD is not effective and cannot control Brugada syndrome symptoms. It involves a long and flexible tube that is inserted through blood vessels to the heart. Thereafter, high energy is delivered through this catheter to make scars or destroy the heart tissue responsible for irregular heart rhythms.
People with Brugada syndrome require regular checkups to make sure the heart rhythm is properly managed and controlled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the life expectancy of someone with Brugada syndrome?
Usually, people who get treatment for this condition have a normal life span. Without treatment, the life expectancy is significantly reduced, and the average age of death is around 40.
What is the cause of Brugada syndrome?
While experts do not fully understand why this syndrome happens, they think certain abnormal genes could play a role. Some people may develop the acquired form of this syndrome from certain medicines.
What foods should you avoid with Brugada syndrome?
People with this syndrome should limit or avoid processed and high-fat foods (such as fried foods, fast foods, and others). Ask your healthcare professional if you have additional questions.
