Re: Heart Seizures

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on September 22, 1998 at 18:24:18:

In Reply to: Heart Seizures posted by Jamie on September 22, 1998 at 07:35:06:






Jackie Joyner Kescer passed away from what they say is a heart seizure.  
I never heard of this.  What is it?  Could you please explain it to us?
Thank You.
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Dear Jamie
I only heard the news an hour ago. As far as I know, the exact cause of death is unknown. There was talk of performing an autopsy, which would possibly give the exact cause of death. She did have a history of hospitalization for a heart related illness in the past, but again the details were not made public.
There is no such thing as a heart seizure. What the journalist may have been referring to is an arrhythmia, an electrical disturbance of the heart (just like a seizure is an electrical disturbance of the brain). Arrhythmias are the most common cause of sudden cardiac death.
I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back.
If you would like to set up an appointment with one of our cardiologists here at the Cleveland Clinic please feel free to call 1-800-CCF-CARE.
Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only. Actual diagnosis and treatment of any particular medical condition can only be made by your physician(s).