Experiences with
Brugada syndrome

Symptoms of Brugada syndrome

Brugada syndrome does not usually cause any symptoms. Sometimes it's found when you have an electrocardiogram (ECG) for another reason.

If you do get symptoms they can include:

fainting or blackouts
feeling dizzy or lightheaded
heart palpitations
seizures or fits
shortness of breath

Symptoms usually start in adulthood, but it can happen at any age.

Brugada syndrome can also cause a dangerously fast or irregular heartbeat. This can lead to a cardiac arrest, where your heart beats so fast that not enough blood gets to your brain, so you become unconscious and stop breathing.

someone's not breathing normally and not moving or responding – they could be having a cardiac arrest
someone's having a seizure or fit
someone's fainted or had a blackout and cannot be woken up within 1 minute

Follow the instructions from the 999 operator until an ambulance arrives.

You've been diagnosed with Brugada syndrome or you're worried you have it and:

you've fainted or had a blackout and have now recovered
you have dizziness that does not go away or keeps coming back
you have heart palpitations that keep coming back, last longer than a few minutes or are getting worse
you've had a seizure or fit and have now recovered

Also ask for an urgent GP appointment if your parent, child, brother or sister has been diagnosed with Brugada syndrome, or died unexpectedly (you may also need tests to check your heart).

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

Tests for Brugada syndrome

If a GP thinks you could have Brugada syndrome or another heart condition they'll refer you to a heart specialist (cardiologist).

You'll have tests such as:

an electrocardiogram (ECG), where sensors are put on your chest to check your heart
a provocation test, where you're given a medicine while having an ECG

As Brugada syndrome is usually inherited, you may also be offered genetic testing to see if you have genes linked to the condition.

If you're diagnosed with Brugada syndrome, your immediate family should also be offered testing as there's a chance they could also have the condition.

Treatments for Brugada syndrome

If you have Brugada syndrome but you've not had any symptoms, you will not usually need any medical treatment. Most people with the condition have a low risk of serious problems.

You'll be monitored regularly to check the health of your heart.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

Doctors may recommend that you're fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

This is a small device that's put under your skin in your chest, in a similar way to a pacemaker. It monitors your heart rhythm and sends an electrical shock to your heart when it's needed to correct the rhythm.

You'll only need an ICD if either:

you've had symptoms such as a cardiac arrest, heart palpitations or fainting
doctors think you're at high risk of getting a dangerous heart rhythm based on your electrocardiogram (ECG) results

How to reduce the risk of heart rhythm problems if you have Brugada syndrome

If you have Brugada syndrome it's important to avoid triggers that can cause problems with your heart rhythm. Your care team will give you advice about this.

check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicines – some medicines can cause problems in people with Brugada syndrome
take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help prevent a high temperature if you're unwell

do not drink too much alcohol – keep to the recommended guidelines of no more than 14 units a week, spread over 3 days or more
do not get dehydrated – you may need rehydration solutions if you're being sick or have diarrhoea
do not take part in very strenuous exercise or sports