Michael Watts died due to Torsades de Pointes. (Representative Image)
Michael “5000” Watts, the Houston hip-hop icon and founder of the influential rap collective Swishahouse, has died at the age of 52, his family confirmed. “It is with profound sadness and heartbreak that we inform the public of our beloved Michael ‘5000’ Watts,” the family said in a statement. Michael Watts died after developing Torsades de Pointes, a rare and potentially fatal heart rhythm disorder that led to 'sudden cardiac death'.
Earlier, the family had shared on January 28 that Michael Watts had been hospitalized for a week after experiencing what they described as “some tremendous health issues.” In August last year, the ‘therealswishahouse’ Instagram page shared a photo of him in a hospital bed, saying he ‘under goes a very serious procedure.’ Here is everything you need to know about the rare and dangerous disease that took the life of Michael Watts.
Also Read: Michael Watts dies at 52: What we know about the Houston rap icon’s cause of death
Torsades de Pointes is a rare and dangerous type of rapid heart rhythm, known as tachycardia, that begins in the heart’s ventricles, or lower chambers, as per Cleveland Clinic. The condition can cause a heart rate ranging from 150 to 300 beats per minute, compared with a normal resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute.
The condition can lead to sudden cardiac death without warning. The Cleveland Clinic notes that about half of people with Torsades de Pointes have no symptoms. Symptoms may include heart palpitations, dizziness, and fainting, though some people do not experience any symptoms at all. Cardiac arrest is also possible.
Treatment for Torsades de Pointes can include medications and medical procedures. In cases where the condition is linked to inherited long QT syndrome, treatment may involve long-term management compared with cases caused by medication-related QT prolongation.
Earlier, the family had shared on January 28 that Michael Watts had been hospitalized for a week after experiencing what they described as “some tremendous health issues.” In August last year, the ‘therealswishahouse’ Instagram page shared a photo of him in a hospital bed, saying he ‘under goes a very serious procedure.’ Here is everything you need to know about the rare and dangerous disease that took the life of Michael Watts.
Also Read: Michael Watts dies at 52: What we know about the Houston rap icon’s cause of death
What is Torsades de Pointes?
Torsades de Pointes is a rare and dangerous type of rapid heart rhythm, known as tachycardia, that begins in the heart’s ventricles, or lower chambers, as per Cleveland Clinic. The condition can cause a heart rate ranging from 150 to 300 beats per minute, compared with a normal resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute.
The condition can lead to sudden cardiac death without warning. The Cleveland Clinic notes that about half of people with Torsades de Pointes have no symptoms. Symptoms may include heart palpitations, dizziness, and fainting, though some people do not experience any symptoms at all. Cardiac arrest is also possible.
Treatment for Torsades de Pointes can include medications and medical procedures. In cases where the condition is linked to inherited long QT syndrome, treatment may involve long-term management compared with cases caused by medication-related QT prolongation.
