As a medical professional with expertise in genetic disorders, I can confirm that Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is indeed a genetic disorder. It is a heart condition characterized by the prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram (ECG), which represents the time between the start of the Q wave and the end of the T wave. This prolongation can lead to serious arrhythmias and can be potentially life-threatening.
LQTS is typically inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means that an affected individual has a 50% chance of passing the condition on to each of their children. The syndrome is caused by mutations in genes that are responsible for the normal functioning of the heart's electrical activity. There are several genes associated with LQTS, with the most common ones being the
KCNQ1,
KCNH2, and
SCN5A genes.
Treatment for LQTS often includes medications to help regulate the heartbeat, lifestyle modifications to avoid triggers that can provoke arrhythmias, and in some cases, the implantation of a defibrillator to prevent sudden cardiac arrest.
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