Overview
Brugada syndrome is a rare but serious heart condition that affects the electrical system of the heart. It causes an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, especially during sleep or rest. The heart itself looks structurally normal — the problem is in how electrical signals travel through it. This is sometimes called a 'channelopathy,' meaning the tiny channels that control electrical flow in heart muscle cells do not work properly. Many people with Brugada syndrome have no symptoms at all and only find out they have it after a routine ECG (electrocardiogram) shows a distinctive abnormal pattern. Others may experience fainting spells, heart palpitations, or irregular heartbeats. In some cases, the first sign is a life-threatening cardiac event. Symptoms are more common in men than women, and episodes often happen at night or during a fever. The main treatment is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), a small device placed under the skin that can detect and correct dangerous heart rhythms automatically. Certain medications like quinidine may also help in some patients. Avoiding triggers such as fever, certain drugs, and excessive alcohol is an important part of managing the condition. With proper monitoring and treatment, many people with Brugada syndrome live full, active lives.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Fainting or passing out, especially at rest or during sleepHeart palpitations or a racing, fluttering heartbeatIrregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)Dizziness or lightheadednessShortness of breath at nightSeizure-like episodes caused by abnormal heart rhythmSudden cardiac arrest (in severe cases)No symptoms at all (many people are asymptomatic)Chest discomfort or pressureNighttime breathing difficulties
Clinical phenotype terms (12)— hover any for plain English
Autosomal dominant
Passed on from just one parent; each child has about a 50% chance of inheriting it
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsIRCCS Policlinico S. Donato — NA
National Taiwan University Hospital — PHASE2
University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
IRCCS Policlinico S. Donato
Maria Cecilia Hospital — NA
University of Sao Paulo General Hospital — NA
China National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases
St. George's Hospital, London
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Brugada syndrome.
8 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
1 resourcesBetapace
Berlex Laboratories, Inc.
Betapace — Contact Berlex Laboratories, Inc.
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Brugada syndrome.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Brugada syndrome.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Brugada syndrome
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: GenLab: Unveiling the Genetic Landscape of Brugada Syndrome: Novel Biomarker Discovery for Precise Diagnosis
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Brugada syndrome
New recruiting trial: China Inherited Ventricular Arrhythmias Registry
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Brugada syndrome
New recruiting trial: Unmasking Concealed Arrhythmia Syndromes
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Brugada syndrome
New recruiting trial: Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Registry
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Brugada syndrome
New recruiting trial: Brugada Syndrome Substrate Characterization and Ablation
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Brugada syndrome
New recruiting trial: Clinical Cohort Study - TRUST
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Brugada syndrome
New recruiting trial: UZ Brussel HRMC Registry of Brugada Syndrome
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Brugada syndrome
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Based on my ECG and test results, what is my personal risk of a dangerous heart rhythm event?,Do I need an ICD, and what are the risks and benefits for someone in my situation?,Which medications — including over-the-counter drugs and supplements — must I avoid?,Should my family members be tested for Brugada syndrome, and how do we arrange that?,Are there any sports or physical activities I should avoid?,What should I do if I develop a fever, and when should I go to the emergency room?,How often do I need follow-up appointments and monitoring?
Common questions about Brugada syndrome
What is Brugada syndrome?
Brugada syndrome is a rare but serious heart condition that affects the electrical system of the heart. It causes an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest, especially during sleep or rest. The heart itself looks structurally normal — the problem is in how electrical signals travel through it. This is sometimes called a 'channelopathy,' meaning the tiny channels that control electrical flow in heart muscle cells do not work properly. Many people with Brugada syndrome have no symptoms at all and only find out they have it after a routine ECG (electrocardiogra
How is Brugada syndrome inherited?
Brugada syndrome follows a autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Brugada syndrome typically begin?
Typical onset of Brugada syndrome is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Brugada syndrome?
Yes — 8 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Brugada syndrome on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Brugada syndrome?
25 specialists and care centers treating Brugada syndrome are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Brugada syndrome?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Brugada syndrome. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.