Brugada Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

An ECG pattern may be discovered without symptoms. Similar-looking findings do not imply identical risk; an electrophysiologist interprets the tracing alongside symptoms and family history.

Related reading: Another inherited electrical heart disorder.

Many people have no symptoms. Sudden fainting, palpitations, abnormal breathing during sleep or seizure-like episodes may occur; unexplained fainting should not automatically be dismissed.

Changes affecting cardiac ion channels can contribute, but genetic testing finds no cause in many people. Fever and certain medicines can reveal the pattern or trigger arrhythmias.

Family history, male sex and certain ancestry backgrounds increase likelihood. Fever can trigger events but does not cause the inherited syndrome.

Diagnosis uses ECGs, family history and exclusion of mimicking conditions. Specialist lead placement, a monitored drug challenge or genetic testing may be selected.

Management is risk-based. Monitoring and trigger avoidance suit some people; selected high-risk patients need an implantable defibrillator. Medicines or ablation are specialist options for particular circumstances.

Ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest can occur. Assessment and follow-up aim to prevent harm without recommending a device to everyone.

Treat fever promptly according to your care plan, check medicine safety and avoid recreational drugs and dehydration. Discuss exercise and family screening individually with the specialist.