The usual treatment for this disorder is beta-blocker drugs. This therapy may help people who suffer from an inherited disorder that can cause death from irregular heartbeats, called long QT syndrome.
Every heartbeat is caused by an electrical impulse that travels through the heart muscle.
The electrical system of the heart must be recharged after each contraction. About 25,000 people in the United States, and about 2,000 people in Kentucky, have long QT syndrome, which causes the QT interval to be longer than usual. Individuals with a long QT interval are more vulnerable to an abnormal, rapid heart rhythm called torsades de pointes. When this occurs, it can lead to a condition where the heart cannot pump out blood, causing unconsciousness and, possibly, death. The most common symptom of this disorder is recurrent fainting spells, often occurring during exercise or emotional excitement.