Sophomore Peyton Gajan sat in a doctor’s office at Children’s Mercy Hospital, waiting with her mom. She was waiting for her doctors to tell her the results of the various tests she had just undergone. Her doctors finally came in and told her the news. Gajan has Long QT Syndrome. According to the Mayo Clinic, Long QT Syndrome (QT) is a heart rhythm disorder that can potentially cause fast, chaotic heartbeats. These rapid heartbeats can trigger a fainting spell, seizure and even sudden death. Gajan’s life will change, but not permanently.

Seeing the Symptoms

According to Gajan, she has had a history of fainting her whole life, but always thought it was due to a weak stomach, dehydration or other medical reasons, such as seeing her father’s stitches being pulled out. She said it never occured to her that she may have a heart problem.

It was only after a cross country meet in which she fainted without reason, that she decided to go to a doctor.

“I was definitely scared,” Gajan said upon finding out the news. “But, mostly I was just shocked.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, fainting is one of the most common signs of having QT. Gajan’s mother Page said that Peyton fainted twice a year after fourth grade, but pediatricians were never concerned until she fainted in Sept. of 2010 at at the cross country meet. According to Peyton, she was hydrated and had breakfast, so there was no reason for her to faint. She and her family wanted an answer as to why she was fainting.

Peyton and her family finally got her answer April 25. After taking two electrocardiograms, which is a painless test that records the heart’s electrical activity, a stress test, a genetics test and wearing a 24 hour heart monitor, Peyton was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome.

Peyton’s friend Rose Hutchison found out about her diagnosis from an email Page sent out after finding out about Peyton’s condition.

“I originally thought they had misdiagnosed her and that she would be fine by the next STA swim season,” Hutchison said. “I really can’t imagine swimming without her because we’ve been swimming together nine years and that’s always been our thing.

Making Changes

Peyton, a cross country runner and swimmer, will have to make some changes in her life because of her diagnosis; she will no longer be able to compete in her favorite and best sport, swimming. If Peyton was to faint while swimming, she could drown. But according to Hutchison, although not swimming with Peyton will be hard, they will both move on.

“Swimming was a big part of [Peyton’s] life, but it didn’t define her,” Hutchison said. “When one door shuts another one opens. Now Peyton can do whatever she wants with a fresh start.”

Page agrees with Hutchison, saying that although the family was originally saddened by the news, they are now slowly getting back to their normal routine.

“Originally we were devastated that she could no longer pursue her dream of swimming in California in college,” Page said. “We are slowly but surely accepting that she will have to take her determination, discipline and passion and direct it towards another one of her many talents.”

Although the family is looking forward with their lives, Page, Peyton’s father, Jason, and brother West all had to take a genetics test. According to Page, since QT is hereditary, there is a 98% chance that she and Jason have the gene and a 50% chance that West has the gene. The family is still awaiting the results of these tests, which according to Page, take two months to get back.

Although Peyton can no longer swim, she will not have to abandon athletics completely. According to Peyton, she can participate in sports that do not require a high activity level, such as golf and tennis.

“I will pretty much be able to do any sport, just not at a very competitive level because that could become dangerous,” Peyton said. “I will have to take it easy at whatever I do. If I ever feel like my heart starts beating too fast, hard or irregularly, I will need to stop what I’m doing.”

According to Page, even though Peyton cannot compete at a competitive level in athletics anymore, the family is happy to have found out about Peyton’s condition before it got too far.

“We are blessed and appreciative to have the knowledge about her condition,” Page said. “Many athletes do not get this chance. One of the most common symptoms of QT is sudden death. We are the lucky ones to have found out about her condition before there was a tragedy.”

Peyton agrees with her mother and is determined to live her life the best she can.

“I am just going to try and live my life as normally as possible,” Peyton said. “I don’t plan on changing my plans for the future because of a heart condition.”