The heart condition is serious and life-threatening and thankfully rare. But when long QT syndrome is discovered in young athletes, they’re automatically benched. Now, Cleveland Clinic researchers believe they’ve found a way to get these kids back into the game, with some precautions.
Tyler Lajko has a heart condition called long QT syndrome which, if triggered by a lot of exertion or even surprise, can be dangerous or worse. So he’s just playing golf when he’d rather be involved in team sports.
Peter Aziz, MD, Pediatric Cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s told Ivanhoe, “In patients with long QT syndrome, the heart takes longer than normal to relax. The issue with that is while it’s relaxing, that can lead to arrhythmias, which can be life-threatening.”
But Dr. Aziz’s research team has Tyler back on the basketball court. They studied more than 100 kids with long QT syndrome who played more aggressive sports, took beta blockers, played with coaches and parents aware of their condition and they made sure there was always an AED nearby. There hasn’t been one heart incident during sports over the seven years.
“Just being able to shoot around, knocking down that three was good. It felt good,” Lajko exclaimed.
Dr. Aziz says letting them play is not without risk, but it’s a calculated one. “We’re trying to figure out a way to balance both, keep them safe but at the same time, keep them participating, keep them feeling normal,” he explained.
Tyler is careful; he takes the beta blockers even though they make him tired. And his friends all know how to use the defibrillator. And he’s already eyeing his high school baseball team.
Lajko told Ivanhoe, “Don’t let it hold you back and what it gives you, you take it and go.”
Dr. Aziz cautions against everyone with long QT syndrome playing more active sports. He says deciding who can do it is a complicated process. And there’s risk, even if patients follow the protocol exactly.