27 year old Corey was taken to A&E after collapsing while playing ice hockey, and it was later revealed that he had suffered a cardiac arrest. Corey was placed in a coma for 4 days, and his family faced an anxious wait to see whether he would recover.
He was later diagnosed with a rare inherited heart disorder, known as Brugada Syndrome, which affects the electrical activity of the heart and can lead to abnormal heart rhythms. This can put people at risk of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, or SADS. Brugada hides behind what appears to be a structurally ‘normal’ heart and, without knowing it, the problem lies within the electrical activity, or the wiring, of the heart. Many people won’t experience symptoms, and for Corey his first symptom was the sudden cardiac arrest, while others may suffer from blackouts, dizziness or heart palpitations.
Devices, called implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), can save the lives of Brugada patients, as it did for Corey when he suffered a second cardiac arrest. However they can affect patients’ quality of life and can carry their own risks, which is why research into alternatives is so important.
With BHF funding, researchers like Professor Elijah Behr are looking to improve care for patients with Brugada syndrome. They also want to use new treatments such as ablation where possible, and making sure treatment is given to those who need it most.
For further information on the conditions featured in Corey's story, please use the links below:
- Learn more about Brugada Syndrome
- Learn more about cardiac arrest