An umbrella term for a group of inherited heart conditions in which the heart’s electrical channels — the proteins that control the flow of ions in and out of heart muscle cells — do not function correctly, despite the heart having a normal structure. Channelopathies can predispose individuals to life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest. Examples include Long QT Syndrome, Short QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, and Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT). Because these conditions are genetic, first-degree relatives of anyone diagnosed with a channelopathy are typically offered cardiac screening.
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