When your physician at Medanta suspects that you have Brugada syndrome, you might be referred to a cardiologist or electrophysiologist. An electrophysiologist is a cardiologist that specializes in ...
When your physician at Medanta suspects that you have Brugada syndrome, you might be referred to a cardiologist or electrophysiologist. An electrophysiologist is a cardiologist that specializes in rhythms of the heart. A careful evaluation is performed, including studying the history of the family and a thorough physical examination.
Like other inherited arrhythmias, Brugada syndrome too can be difficult to diagnose. Usually, it can be detected on an electrocardiogram, but sometimes the ECG findings could be very subtle. This is why it is extremely important to consult a specialist. In a few cases, certain medications are given to unmask the subtle changes that identify if you are at risk.
If someone tends to faint without any other identifiable cause, he or she must consult an electrophysiologist at the earliest. These testing equipment and specialists might not be available at all hospitals. On an ECG, there are a number of conditions, which could cause a Brugada pattern. Owing to the implications of the diagnosis, these conditions must be ruled out. If someone has a history of fainting and is found to have Brugada syndrome, the likelihood that they could experience recurring episodes of fainting or sudden cardiac death is up to 40 percent, during the next two to three years.
Do bear in mind that if you have Brugada syndrome, it is imperative for your siblings and children to be screened for the condition as well.
This is a special technique that an electrophysiologist uses to study the electrical system in your heart. Catheters, long floppy wires, are placed in your heart, to study the activities of the heart. It paces the heart too if required. The findings of the study are then used to find the effect of medications. Although no treatments are performed the Electrophysiology lab, the study reveals valuable information. It could let you know how risky your situation is. It could tell you the possibility of repetition of you fainting or even of death. If your doctor has prescribed it for you, you have to let the doctor know what other medications you are under. They have to be stopped a day to a week before the test is performed on you.
An Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator is a tiny device the size of a pager. With improvements in the field of technology, this device is getting smaller and smaller. An ICD is implanted to your skin. It can detect your heartbeat and monitor it continuously. It can prevent the kind of arrhythmia responsible for syncope or sudden death. If the device finds out arrhythmia, it sends out electrical impulses to the heart. This shock sends your heart back to normal rhythm. When implanted with an ICD, the rate of death in patients has been found to be zero percent, with up to 10 years of follow up and monitoring.
You have to consult a cardiologist when you have palpitations in your heart or irregular heartbeats.
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