What does Short QT Interval on ECG means?

Question

How does it effect my heart function? I got my all test done and all results were fine!!!! I have no health issues at all and I am fit.
So what does Short QT intervel on ECG means!!! Can I control this when i go for my next ECG?

Thanks for your advice and suggestions.

Answer 1

To understand this, I think you need to understand an ECG a little. The atria (top of the heart) depolarizes (p-wave) followed by the ventrical (bottom or the heart) (depicted on the ECG as a down defection, an up deflection, and down again, or the qrs complex) and then the ventrical repolarizes (t-wave). Therefore the q-t interval is the time it takes for the ventricle depolarize (contract) to the point where it repolarizes (re-sets). Generally speaking you worry about a long q-t interval - that means that the electricity is being slowed through the ventricle for some reason.

The only thing I can think of being worried about with a short interval is that the ventricle has the capacity to run very fast...which is really not an issue if every other thing is functioning correctly. In other words, I think the short interval is a normal variant probably having to do with young age. No need to worry.

In doing a little research on your question, I came up with the following:

Gaita and colleagues[1] reported on several members of 2 families who had syncope, resuscitated sudden cardiac arrest, and death. Among the survivors, they noted that the Q-T interval was
This is a rare circumstance. I went to "Pub Med" which catalogs topics from all scientific and medical journals. There was very little written about short Q-T intervals (too much Calcium in critically ill patients, for instance.) and nothing about this syndrome described above. If you have a family history of sudden death and/or unexplained fainting then I would seek addition evaluation. Otherwise, I would not worry. Good luck.

Answer 2

Short Qt

Answer 3

The Q-T interval represents the time for both ventricular depolarization and repolarization to occur, and therefore roughly estimates the duration of an average ventricular action potential. This interval can range from 0.2 to 0.4 seconds depending upon heart rate. At high heart rates, ventricular action potentials shorten in duration, which decreases the Q-T interval. To simplify
depolarization, it is a precursor to heart contraction while repolarization is a precursor of resting state of the heart.


If you are taking the medication called Digoxin, it is the common cause of short QT interval. Otherwise, there is a symdrome called Short QT syndrome which is a genetic disease of the electrical system of the heart. It consists of a constellation of signs and symptoms, consisting of a short QT interval interval on EKG (≤ 300 ms) that doesn't significantly change with heart rate, tall and peaked T waves, and a structurally normal heart. Short QT syndrome appears to be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, and a few affected families have been identified.

Individuals with short QT syndrome frequently complain of palpitations and may have syncope (loss of consciousness) that is unexplained. Due to the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, most individuals will have family members with a history of unexplained or sudden death at a young age (even in infancy), palpitations, or atrial fibrillation.

Short QT syndrome is associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death, most likely due to ventricular fibrillation.

Currently, the only effective treatment option for individuals with short QT syndrome is implantation of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD).

A recent study has suggested that the use of certain antiarrhythmic agents, particularly quinidine, may be of benefit in individuals with short QT syndrome due to their effects on prolonging the action potential and by their action on the IK channels1. While the use of these agents alone is not indicated at present, there may be benefit of adding these agents to individuals who have already had ICD implantation to reduce the number of arrhythmic events.

Answer 4

A short QT interval can predispose you to abnormal heartbeats, which could be serious. You need to talk to your doctor about whether it is anything to worry about.

Answer 5

Very interested to hear the answers to this as well

Answer 6

Finally, that's what I was looking for! Thanks op of this question.