A heart block occurs when there is a problem with the signal from your heart's upper chambers reaching its lower chambers. Your heart beats under the direction of electrical signals. Typically, electrical signals, or impulses, move from the upper (atria) to the lower (ventricles) chambers of the heart through a process called conduction. These signals instruct your heart muscle when to contract. Any disturbance in such a signal transmission mechanism is called conduction disorder.
The sinus node, a structure found in the upper chamber of the heart (atria), is responsible for producing heartbeats that occur on schedule. Your AV node, a collection of cells that connects the electrical activity in your top and bottom chambers, is where the signal reaches ultimately for completion of a heart pump.
The electrical signals that typically travel from the atria to the ventricles are interfered with when you have a heart block. Your heart receives these signals to determine when to beat. Your ventricles cannot be instructed to contract and properly pump blood if electrical signals cannot pass from your atria to them.
As a result, the heart might not function properly. Your heart might beat erratically or slowly. Heart block can, in extreme circumstances, impair your heart's capacity to pump blood, resulting in reduced blood flow throughout your body. Heart block is more common to develop later in life. Atrioventricular (AV) block and conduction disorder are other terms for heart block.
Let’s learn further about symptoms, causes, and treatment options for heart block. Knowing this one can prevent or timely reach out for medical attention for the management of this medical emergency.
What is Heart Block?
Heart block is the consequence of abnormality in electrical signal transmission of the heart's electrical system, making the heart beat more slowly and irregularly than usual. The most dangerous kind of heart block is a third-degree block. A cardiac arrest may result from it. This results from a hiccup, obstruction, or delay in the electrical impulse's path, which is necessary for the heart to beat.Damage to the heart's valves or muscle can cause a heart block. Heart block is not the same as coronary heart disease, which is brought on by the accumulation of plaque, a waxy material, in the coronary arteries. Angina, or chest pain, and myocardial infarction (MI), or a heart attack, are the two possible outcomes of CAD.
Types of Heart Block
There are certain types of heart blocks depending upon the severity:- First degree heart block: It’s the least severe type of heart block. The heart's electrical signals are slowed down, but they still reach the ventricles, causing slight disturbances to the heartbeat. The majority of first-degree heart blocks are asymptomatic. It doesn't usually cause issues or need to be treated.
- Second degree heart block: A slower and occasionally erratic heart rhythm can be a symptom of second degree heart block. It happens when certain electrical signals are not received by the heart, leading to missed or dropped beats.
- Third degree heart block: It’s the most severe kind of heart block. It happens when there is a breakdown in the electrical signals that are sent between the heart's upper and lower chambers. This causes the heart rate to slow down and become more erratic, which may cause noticeable symptoms.
What are the Causes of Heart Block?
Congenital heart block is the condition where the heart block occurs at birth. This condition is caused by either a birth defect in your heart or a condition your mother had during her pregnancy. Most people experience heart block as they age due to the possibility of fibrosis and eventual failure of the heart's connecting wires. Sometimes growing older can cause this to occur. A heart block could arise from any procedure that harms these heart wires. One of the most prevalent causes of heart block is coronary artery disease, both with and without a heart attack. Damage to the wires can also arise from diseases called cardiomyopathies, which weaken the heart muscle. Heart block can be caused by any illness that can cause inflammation in the heart, such as infections or some autoimmune diseases, or by diseases that can invade the heart, such as sarcoidosis and certain cancers. Wire failure can also be caused by anomalies in the electrolyte levels, particularly elevated potassium levels.What are the Symptoms of Heart Block?
Some people may not have any symptoms at all from a milder form of heart block. Others might encounter:- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea
- Rapid breathing
- Fainting
- Dizziness
What are the Treatment Options of Heart Block?
Treatment for heart blocks varies from patient to patient. In order to monitor your heart, you might be admitted to the hospital. Heart block can occasionally be stopped by altering medications or heart disease treatments. Others might require a pacemaker—a device that beats their hearts electrically—either temporarily or permanently.- First-degree block: No treatment needed
- Second-degree block: Temporary or permanent pacemaker may be needed
- Third-degree block: Generally, pacemaker is needed
Conclusion
Feeling pain in your chest or having difficulty breathing can be unsettling. However, receiving a heart block diagnosis at earliest can clarify the cause of your symptoms and make way for best treatment outcomes. The good news is that medications or pacemakers that maintain a normal heart rhythm can successfully treat those in need of care. If you suspect or are looking forward to best care for heart blocks, then reach out to our experts at Asian Heart Hospital for comprehensive care. Book your appointment now!FAQs
Q1: How is heart block diagnosed?A: Heart block is often diagnosed during routine testing for other conditions, unless symptoms are present. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is the primary test for heart block diagnosis. It gauges your heart's electrical activity. An ECG can be performed while you're at rest or working out.
Q2: What is the heart block treatment?
A: You may not require treatment if you have a first-degree heart block. If you have symptoms of second-degree heart block or are diagnosed with second degree heart block, you may require a pacemaker. If you have a third-degree heart block, a pacemaker is probably necessary.
Q3: Can medication be used to treat a heart block? A: Yes, medicines can be used to manage heart blocks. There are many anti-arrhythmic medications that can alter the electrical signals in the heart to maintain the regularity of the heartbeat.
