Seven years after a British nurse died mysteriously in bed, Swedish researchers have determined being startled by her alarm clock stopped her heart.
The research was done at the request of the family of pediatric nurse Lisa Jane Brown, who was found dead in her bed in Cheshire Jan. 12, 1998.
Scientists said the woman had the rare disorder Long QT syndrome, which affects the electrical system of the heart and can cause sudden unexplained death in young people. Sudden emotions such as fear or anger or even loud noises can trigger the heart to suddenly begin vibrating instead of pumping.
Brown's mother, Doreen Harley, told Sky News she wants the inquest into her daughter's death to be reopened and her cause of death changed from unknown to Long QT syndrome, but a spokeswoman for Cheshire Coroners Office said there were no plans to reopen the inquest.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
