Key points about heart block
- Heart block is a condition where electrical signals in the heart are delayed or blocked, which leads to irregular heart rhythms.
- They can be caused by heart disease, medications, electrolyte imbalances or congenital defects.
- Symptoms may include fatigue, dizziness, fainting, or a slow heart rate, depending on the severity of the block.
- You may need a pacemaker to treat heart block.
Common related conditions
Heart block causes
The most typical causes of heart block include:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attacks or heart surgery
- Medications that affect heart rhythm, like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Inflammation of the heart
- Congenital defects or degenerative diseases
Heart block risk factors
Advancing age and heart disease, particularly coronary artery disease or previous heart attacks are the most common factors that put people at risk for heart block. In less common cases, using medications that affect heart rhythm can also cause some risk.
Preexisting conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and electrolyte imbalances as well as a family history of heart block or conduction disorders are also factors.
Heart block symptoms
- Mild cases may cause no symptoms.
- More severe cases can cause fatigue, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain, or a slow heart rate (bradycardia).
- In extreme cases, heart block can lead to heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest.
Heart block diagnosis
Heart block is usually diagnosed by completing an electrocardiogram (ECG). These tests detect delays or interruptions in the heart's electrical signals.
- Heart block is classified into three types: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree (complete) heart block.
- Additional tests like Holter monitoring or an electrophysiology study may be used for further evaluation.
Heart block treatment
- First-degree heart block may not require treatment, while second-degree and third-degree heart block often require intervention.
- Pacemakers are commonly used for more severe cases to regulate the heart's rhythm.
- Medications or lifestyle changes may be used to treat underlying causes like heart disease or electrolyte imbalances.
When to seek care
Contact your doctor or cardiologist if you start to experience:
- Dizziness, fainting, chest pain or shortness of breath.
- If you have a known history of heart disease or use medications that may affect heart rhythm.
- If you have been diagnosed with heart block, regular follow-up care is necessary to monitor heart health and adjust treatment as needed.