Imagine your heart skipping beats—literally. Heart block could be the reason , but the good news is, this article will guide you through  causes, symptoms, treatment options and how you can protect your heart's health!

Heart health plays a vital role in keeping our bodies functioning well, but sometimes the heart’s electrical system can experience problems. One such issue is third-degree heart block.

This occurs when electrical signals don't travel from atria to ventricles, causing a complete loss of electric conduction and potentially causing no heartbeat or a slow one if the backup rate takes over. People with heart failure may have severe symptoms. The thought of dealing with such a critical condition can be overwhelming.

Familiarizing yourself with the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for heart blockage can empower you to act quickly and safeguard your health.

Let's step into the blog.

Causes

Congenital Heart Block: Some individuals are born with heart block. This can occur due to. 

  1. An immune system disorder, like lupus, can sometimes be passed from mother to baby through the umbilical cord.

  2. In some cases, the heart may not form properly before birth. Often, doctors aren’t sure what causes these developmental issues.

Acquired Heart Block: This is the most common type and develops later in life. Causes of acquired heart block include:

  1. Certain types of surgery like radiation therapy, can affect the heart’s electrical system
  2. Serious infections, such as diphtheria, valve, cardiomyopathy, or Lyme disease
  3. Heart issues like clogged arteries, inflammation of the heart muscle, and heart failure
  4. Genetic heart conditions
  5. Damage from a previous heart attack
  6. Some medications

Symptoms

Third-degree heart block symptoms can vary depending on how severe the blockage is. Here are the common signs:

  1. Fainting(Syncope): Rapid drop in blood pressure due to inefficient heart pumping.
  2. Dizziness: Light-headedness due to inadequate blood flow to the brain.
  3. Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing due to insufficient oxygenated blood.
  4. Fatigue: Extreme fatigue due to the heart's inefficiency.
  5. Chest pain: Discomfort or pain in the chest.
  6. Irregular heartbeat: Slow or uneven heartbeat, leading to palpitations

Important

“Third-degree heart blockage is a medical emergency for sure. Call 108 immediately or get to an emergency department right away.”

Diagnosis

Diagnosis

Heart failure diagnosis involves a healthcare provider examining the patient's symptoms, medical history, risk factors, and family history. They may also check for medication use and genetics. 

A stethoscope is used to listen to the lungs and heart, detecting a whooshing sound. The doctor may also examine neck veins and check for swelling in the legs and belly.

Apart from this, there are invasive and non-invasive methods to diagnose heart disease:

Invasive methods, such as Electrophysiology Study (EPS) and Coronary Angiography. It involves catheters inserted through a vein in the leg and injected into blood vessels to see blockages on X-rays. The other test is myocardial biopsy, where the doctor removes very small pieces of the heart muscle for examination.

While invasive tests can be effective, they often come with risks and need longer recovery times. Thankfully, doctors now offer Non-Invasive procedures.

  1. Electrocardiograms (ECG), Holter Monitors, echocardiograms, CT scans, MRI scans, and Exercise Stress Tests: Painless and safe tests to diagnose third-degree heart block.
  2. ECGs measure the heart's electrical signals.
  3. Holter Monitors record heart activity for 24-48 hours.
  4. Echocardiograms create images of the heart.
  5. Exercise Stress Tests check heart response to physical exertion.

Tests

A doctor may examine blood tests for decreased blood flow, oxygen, electrolyte levels, glucose levels, troponin levels, and digoxin levels to detect heart attack signs and digoxin toxicity. 

Treatment

Heart blockage

A third-degree heart block can be treated with various medications, including intravenous atropine, dopamine, and epinephrine. Yet, these medications may not always work in treating the condition.

If the condition is severe, transcutaneous pacing (TCP) is used, which involves placing pads on the skin to conduct electrical signals. It restores the heartbeat temporarily.

If a pacemaker is needed over time, a permanent pacemaker that looks like a small battery-powered device may be implanted in the chest. This depends on the underlying cause of the heart block. For example, people with drug toxicity may not respond to pacing.

Some Chennai heart hospitals offer non-invasive treatments for heart blockage for patients who may not be eligible for surgery or patients who prefer painless therapy.

  1. EECP treatment for heart blockage involves non-invasive cuff placement around the legs to improve blood flow to the heart. It reduces symptoms and improves quality of life. 
  2. Chelation therapy is also used for heart blockage. It binds to blood minerals and removes harmful substances. 
  3. Ozone therapy improves oxygen supply, reduces inflammation, and enhances heart function.

Recovery and life after

Recovery from treatment for heart blockage like pacemaker implantation or heart surgery can take weeks, requiring hospital stays, arm slings, follow-up visits, and lifestyle adjustments. These procedures carry risks and longer recovery periods, including infection risk, especially in older adults. 

Non-invasive treatments provide a smoother recovery without surgery, reducing hospital stays and minimizing complications. These painless methods offer a safer, faster way to manage heart block.

After a third-degree heart block, life can greatly improve, but getting your pacemaker checked for good functioning, wearing a medical bracelet to inform others about pacemaker, avoiding electromagnetics, and a heart-healthy lifestyle are essential for maintaining long-term heart health.

Conclusion

When it comes to your heart, every beat counts! A heart block is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking a diagnosis can help doctors create an effective treatment plan. 

Either through a pacemaker, medications, or non-invasive therapies, there are several ways to manage the condition and improve quality of life. If you suspect a heart block, don’t hesitate to consult your healthcare provider for further advice.

For those living in India, Oxymed, one of the best Chennai heart hospitals, offers advanced non-invasive treatment for heart blockage and can guide patients in choosing the right care.

Join the many who have improved their heart health with Oxymed.

Contact us today. 

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