QT interval is the time duration from the start of the Q wave to the end of the t wave in an ECG. An ECG is a graphical representation of the heart’s electrical cycle. This graph helps a physician to determine the health of the heart and to find out any abnormalities in the functioning of the heart.
Long QT syndrome can cause sudden and very serious arrythmias, which may prove to be fatal. But, it is not necessary that a person suffering from LQTS will always be having dangerous heart rhythms.
This long qt syndrome can be caused due to a number of reasons. It can be inherited or acquired. Various risk factors are involved in this. Some of them are congenital heart disease or a history running in the family regarding any congenital heart disease, cardiac disorders, renal failure, sometimes due to diarrhea, vomiting, loss of potassium and magnesium, and administration of certain drugs like anti-psychotics or anti-depressants, these can be the potential risk factors.
Most of the times, the long QT syndrome is undiagnosed and hence a number of people suffering from it, may not even know it and may be asymptomatic.
What Is The Best Diet For Long QT Syndrome?
Though there is no specific diet to reduce the long QT interval or specifically as a treatment for the long QT syndrome, it is generally advisable to follow a heart healthy diet and lifestyle. While, the heart healthy diet is not a term mentioned in any medical texts, it usually means any diet that is particularly beneficial for the well being of the heart. This largely includes a substantial amount of fruits and vegetables, as they are high on nutrients. Also, due to the inclusion of fruits and veggies one may be less likely to gorge on unhealthy and junk food. All the fruits and vegetables should be included without a doubt, only they must be free from added salt and sugar. Foods rich in soluble fiber and high on omega-3 fatty acids are also recommended. Soluble fiber, apart from aiding in digestion, can reduce cholesterol and thus be beneficial for the heart as well. Lean meat and fish can be included for non-vegetarians with long QT syndrome.
High saturated fats, such as whole milk dairy, cheeses, butter, poultry, etc. should be avoided when you have long QT syndrome. Packaged foods are best avoided as they are high in both trans fats as well as salts.
As far as the lifestyle changes are concerned, a moderate amount of exercise, following the above-mentioned diet, taking long QT syndrome medications only with physician’s consultation, yoga and meditation, a regular sleep pattern and avoiding situations of extreme distress and unpleasant episodes should prove to be beneficial for long QT syndrome.
After all, our heart has to work pretty hard throughout its life. So, why not make its work easier by providing it with just what it needs.
Your heart follows an electrical conduction system. This electrical conduction system of the heart causes the contraction of the heart muscles. It involves the depolarisation and repolarisation of the ventricles of the heart. As a result of these electrical signals the right and the left atriums contract first and then the right and the left ventricles contract. The proper and regular pumping of the blood throughout the body is achieved because of this mechanism. This depolarisation and repolarisation of ventricles is represented by the QT interval on an ECG. If this qt interval is prolonged, it may be a potential indicator of ventricular tachycardia. The increased rate of the heartbeats in a resting phase of the body is known as tachycardia. Generally, an increase in the heart rate above 100 in the resting period is considered as tachycardia. Tachycardia can be also seen during and after exercise. This is considered normal. Tachycardia is also known as tachyarrhythmia. This prolonged QT interval can cause ventricular tachyarrhythmia and hence may result in sudden death.
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