Brugada Syndrome

[Sambambeano]

Hi All,

I have a Brugada test tomorrow and I'm a little nervous. I was just wondering has anyone got the condition or been through it and just give me some pointers.

Is their things to avoid and not do? Just to ease my mind really as I've been googling it and kind of scared myself

Thanks

Sam

[Soldier81]

I was diagnosed with Brugada in 2016 having collapsed at home and paramedics found an irregular ecg. Within 6 months I was fitted with an ICD

[Jmiller623]

Hi Sam! This is my first time posting on AA. I have had various arrhythmias due to lupus.

With that being said, Brugada is pretty rare. I am wondering what made docs want to test you for this? I’ve seen 3 cases. Usually young males who syncopize/pass out without warning and have very classic EKG findings.

To test for it, I am assuming you will be seeing an electrophysiologist unless your EKG was so telling that they are doing a genetic test. If going to EP, they will give you a medication that blocks sodium channels or causes stress on your heart to bring out characteristic features of Brugada on EKG.

Don’t be scared. If you do have Brugada, they will want to put in a defibrillator/ICD and possibly start medications that can help reduce events. Brugada carries a significant risk of fatal arrhythmias similarly to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The electrical system of the heart has some bad wires so in case the system shorts, an ICD can reset your rhythm and save your life.

Please keep us posted on what they find. I hope you don’t have it and docs are just doing it to rule it out. Sending hugs your way. Everything will be okay! ❤️

[MOasis]

I once had a "Brugada pattern" on an ECG but they determined somehow (I cannot recall but I think I did have EPS tests) that this was a pattern caused by high fever at the time (possibly infection of the heart) and that I did not have Brugada Syndrome as such. I am not sure what circumstances caused your doctor to do a test for Brugada but if you are found to have it at least you can have a device implanted and then hopefully live a normal life. My main input here is that based on my experience a one off Brugada pattern with no other symptoms may not mean you have the syndrome but obviously check with your doctor.

[austinaustin79]

Hi Sam,

I was diagnosed with Brugada in 2016. It was picked up on a ECG after I had chest pains which was not heart related. I was 41 at the time and I'm male. I have type 1 Brugada pattern which is present on every ECG so provacation test was not required.

I have not had black outs or any dizzy spells which could mean arrhythemias.

There is no known medication to treat this condition and only an ICD is used if you are high risk. I have a implantable loop recorder fitted which reports any unusual heart rhythms to the hospital.

There is a list of medications not to take, and fevers should be treated quickly. Also excessive alcohol is not advised.

I have no symtoms and I live my life normally. It was hard when I was first diagnosed but now I stay in the present and tend not to worry about it. I'm positive that Brugada will not cause me any issues as it hasn't for the first 40+ yrs of my life.

Best wishes

David.

[Guy_Smiley]

Good morning!

My Father passed away in his sleep without warning so I was tested for Brugada and came up positive on the Ajmaline test. Seeing as they had to force my symptoms I have not been fitted with an ICD and have to adapt my lifestyle accordingly. I don't worry as much as I used to in the early days.

They claim the risks from an ICD are higher than the risk of me having a problem due to Brugada as I don't suffer fainting, black-outs and my ECG is normal.

The test itself feels a bit weird but after an hour or so you are done and dusted and they usually give you the results there and then - they did with me anyway.

Good luck!

Guy

[Swxsls]

My husband was diagnosed with low risk Brugada and we are waiting to see a specialist. Perhaps he will need an ICD.

It was very scary to read about it. I suggest stopping reading until you are confirmed and just follow doctor's advice. Sending our hugs and love

[Bulver]

I was diagnosed with type 1 Brugada in 2014 after severe palpitations. I was hospitalised for 7 days in a coronary care unit. Returned home with strict instructions to take life easily and await an appt to see an Electrophysiologist. After 4 days had another attack, was rushed straight to a specialist cardiac unit where I was offered 3 choices - do nothing, have a loop recorder implanted, or have an ICD implanted. I chose the the third option as being the ‘fail-safe’ option. Have been problem free after some initial difficulties, so glad I went for that option.....and, I was 26 days off my 70th birthday when I had the implant fitted. Don’t even think about the ICD or my problem now. Best wishes with whatever you choose to do.

[Millie1980]

Hi Sam. I was diagnosed with Brugada 2 years ago. I would advise u not to stress over it as doctors will tell you to just relax. I am about to have an ICD fitted and am living a normal life and working. All the best x