Living with Brugada syndrome
A heart rhythm condition that can cause fainting and irregular heartbeats, often when at rest or asleep.
Understanding Brugada syndrome
It can lead to irregular heartbeats in the lower chambers of the heart (ventricular arrhythmia). If untreated, these can cause fainting (syncope), seizures, or trouble breathing. These problems typically occur at rest or during sleep. It usually becomes apparent in adulthood but can appear from early infancy to late adulthood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Fainting spells (syncope)
- Irregular heartbeat
- Seizures
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heart rate
- Heart electrical block on ECG (right bundle branch block)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists and heart and blood vessel specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
SADS Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Genetic specialists (geneticists); Heart and blood vessel specialists (cardiologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: SADS Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with SADS Foundation
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Changes in genes cause this condition. It is autosomal dominant, so one changed copy of the gene is enough.
Also known as: bangungut; brugada type idiopathic ventricular fibrillation; dream disease; idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, brugada type; pokkuri death syndrome; right bundle branch block, st segment elevation, and sudden death syndrome
Patient organizations
- SADS FoundationBrugada syndrome · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Brugada syndrome.
Explore research for Brugada syndrome
Explore actively recruiting Brugada syndrome studies with HealthSpark.
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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