Our heart is like a wonderful machine that works in a certain rhythm, isn't it? But sometimes this rhythm goes a little out of whack. You may have felt that your heart beats slowly, suddenly skips a beat, or your chest feels tight. One of the main reasons for this is a condition called 'Heart Block'. Don't be scared when you hear this name. Today we will talk about this, that is, the blockage of the heart's electrical signals, in a very simple way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is Heart Block?
To understand this, let's first look at how our heart works. Imagine your heart is like a house with four rooms. There are two rooms on the top floor (which we call the Atria) and two rooms on the bottom floor (which are the Ventricles). For the heart to beat, an electrical signal must travel from the top floor to the bottom floor.
As this electrical signal travels from the upper to the lower chambers, it passes through a small junction (called the AV node in medical science) between the two. Heart block means that there is some obstruction, delay, or complete stoppage of the electrical signal as it travels through this junction.
What happens when this electrical signal doesn't go through properly? Because the heart's chambers (cells) don't get the signal at the right time, the heart beats slowly or skips some beats . In severe cases, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body. This can reduce blood flow to the entire body.
Heart block is an interruption in the electrical signals that travel from the top to the bottom of the heart. This causes the heartbeat to slow down or become irregular.
This condition is more likely to develop later in life, especially with age, rather than being present at birth. It is also called Atrioventricular (AV) block.
What are the main types of heart block?
The severity of Heart Block varies depending on the degree of disruption to the electrical signal. Accordingly, we divide it into three main types. Let's look at this table to understand this easily.
| Heart Block Type | Simply put... | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| First-degree Heart Block | The traffic light goes on, but a little late . Like being stuck in traffic. Every signal goes to its destination. | This is the least severe form. There are often no symptoms. |
| Second-degree Heart Block | Not all electrical signals sent go through. Some get lost along the way , like a phone call getting cut off mid-way. | There are two types of this. One is less severe (Mobitz Type I), and the other is more severe (Mobitz Type II). |
| Third-degree Heart Block | No electrical signals from above can get through to the bottom. A complete blockage. The chambers (cells) below begin to beat in their own very slow rhythm. | This is the most serious case . This definitely requires treatment. |
A little more about the second level Heart Block...
- Mobitz Type I: This is a condition in which the electrical signal is delayed, then delayed, then suddenly missed, then starts over again. This is a less serious condition.
- Mobitz Type II: This is not a warning sign. It is a sudden, uncontrollable electrical impulse that is not heard. The heart rate is irregular and slow. This is more serious than Type I. This condition often requires a pacemaker.
Do you also have these symptoms?
Symptoms vary depending on the severity of heart block. You may not notice anything while your friend has symptoms.
- People with first-degree heart block usually have no symptoms . It is discovered incidentally during an ECG (electrocardiogram) test for another reason.
But in the second and third stages, as the heart rate slows, symptoms such as:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Excessive fatigue for no reason
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is beating fast)
- Dizziness and feeling light-headed
- Fainting
- Nausea
These symptoms can be particularly severe in third-degree heart block. If you have these severe symptoms, it is important to seek medical advice immediately. If possible, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What are the causes of heart block?
Anything that can damage the heart's electrical system can cause this. Here are some of the main causes:
- Heart attack: Damage to the heart muscle caused by a heart attack.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD): Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
- Cardiomyopathy: Weakening or thickening of the heart muscle.
- Heart valve diseases: Certain problems with the heart valves.
- Certain medications: Certain medications for high blood pressure and heart disease (e.g. Beta-blockers, Calcium channel blockers).
- Congenital heart disease: The presence of certain changes in the structure of the heart at birth.
- Injuries during open heart surgery.
- Some infections: Infections such as Lyme disease.
- Other medical conditions: Thyroid disease, sarcoidosis, etc.
How to find this?
When you go to see a doctor, he will ask you about these things:
- What are your symptoms and how long have you had them?
- Does anyone in your family have heart disease?
- About the medications you take.
- About your lifestyle (eating, drinking, exercise, smoking).
Then, the doctor will examine you, listen to your heart, check your heart rate, and, if necessary, refer you to a cardiologist.
To confirm the disease, the following tests can be done:
- ECG (Electrocardiogram): This is the most important and simplest test. It records the electrical activity of the heart.
- Ambulatory Monitor (Holter Monitor): Heart block may not always occur, so you will be given a small device to wear to record your heart activity for 24 to 48 hours.
- Exercise Stress Test: An ECG is taken while you walk or run on a treadmill, looking at how your heart rate changes with exercise.
- Electrophysiology Study (EP Study): This is a slightly more complex test. A thin wire is passed into the heart to pinpoint where the problem lies in the electrical system.
How is Heart Block treated?
Treatment depends on what type of heart block you have, how severe it is, and what symptoms you have.
- First-degree Heart Block: This usually doesn't require treatment . Your doctor will monitor you.
- Second-degree Heart Block: Mobitz Type I may not require treatment if there are no symptoms. However, if there are symptoms, or Mobitz Type II, a pacemaker may be needed to maintain the heart's rhythm.
- Third-degree Heart Block: People with this condition often need a pacemaker .
What is this Pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a very small, battery-operated device. It is implanted under the skin of your chest during a minor surgery. A thin wire from this is connected to your heart. The pacemaker works by sending electrical signals to your heart when it is beating too slowly, keeping it beating at a regular rhythm.
Things to consider when living with a pacemaker
You can live a normal life after having a pacemaker fitted, but you need to be careful about the following:
- Stay away from strong magnetic fields: Don't go near things like MRI machines.
- Cell Phones: Do not carry your phone in the same pocket as your pacemaker. Keep it at least 6 inches away.
- Security checks, such as at airports: Tell security officers that you have a pacemaker. And always carry a card stating that you have a pacemaker.
- Inform other doctors: Whether you are going to see a dentist or any other doctor, tell them that you have a pacemaker.
When should you see your doctor?
If you have a heart block, it is very important to attend the clinics at the scheduled times as prescribed by the doctor. If you have a pacemaker, you should regularly check that it is working properly.
If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations or skipping beats
- Feeling weak
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the legs and ankles
If you develop symptoms of a heart attack (severe chest pain, difficulty breathing) or signs of cardiac arrest (sudden loss of consciousness), go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Heart Block is a disruption in the heart's electrical signal transmission. This is not something to be afraid of, but it is something to be concerned about.
- There are types of this, ranging from the least severe (first-degree) to the most severe (third-degree).
- If you have symptoms like dizziness, nausea, extreme fatigue, or difficulty breathing, don't ignore them. Definitely see a doctor.
- Nowadays, there are very effective treatments for this, like pacemakers. With these treatments, you can live a normal, healthy life.
- Take care of your heart. It is always important to follow a healthy lifestyle.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts here.
Add Your Comment