05/14/2024
Electrical signals control the beating of the heart. A heart block is a problem with your heartbeat signal moving from the upper to the lower part of your heart. The signal can only get through sometimes, or not at all. This makes your heart beat slower or skip beats than normal. People who have second-degree or third-degree heart block may experience fainting, tiredness and shortness of breath. The most dangerous kind of heart block is a third-degree block and it can lead to cardiac arrest.
Cardiologists can rapidly treat patients with clogged or blocked coronary arteries without requiring surgery by using angioplasty. A balloon-tipped catheter is threaded to the location of the restricted or blocked artery by a cardiologist, who subsequently inflates the balloon to unblock the blood vessels.
What Is Heart Blockage?
In general electrical signals control every heart muscle contraction and travel from the atria, or the upper chambers of the heart, to the ventricles, or the lower chambers of the heart. A heart block is a problem with your heartbeat signal moving from the upper to the lower part of your heart. When there is a delay in the electrical impulses or when they move more slowly than usual, a partial heart block occurs. The total stoppage of electrical signals is known as a complete heart block. The heart rate can drop to about 40 times per minute or slower.
What Are The Symptoms Of Heart Block?
The symptoms experienced may vary in each patient depending on the severity of the block and how it affects the heart pump. Some people with a mild-moderate form of heart block do not show any symptoms. People with heart block may appear healthy, but they may have an underlying heart problem.
The following are the common symptoms of heart block:
- Chest pain and discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Slower or irregular heartbeat
- Lightheadedness
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Rapid breathing
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Difficulty in performing exercises and exertion
What Causes Heart Block:
The following are the causes of heart block:
- Heart attack
- Genetic abnormalities
- Autoimmune diseases
- Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscles)
- Disorders of the heart valves
- Scarring in your conduction system with an unknown cause
- Structural abnormalities in your heart from birth
- As a side effect of certain medications (from calcium channel blockers, digitalis, and beta-blockers)
- Exposure to harmful substances (toxins)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Thyroid diseases
- Infections like Lyme disease
How To Diagnose Heart Block?
Your healthcare professional will conduct a detailed history before diagnosing the heart block. They will inquire about your medical history, biological family’s health history, eating habits, physical activity levels, symptoms you are experiencing, medicines you are taking, and smoking habits. They will also check your heartbeat to find any abnormalities in rhythm and examine your extremities to check for swelling.
Apart from these, the diagnostic tests include:
- Blood tests
- Genetic tests
- ECG or EKG
- Exercise stress test
- Electrophysiology study
- Loop recorder
- Ambulatory monitor
How To Treat Heart Block?
The treatment for heart block depends on the severity of your condition, the type of block you have, and the symptoms you are experiencing. Heart block can occasionally be stopped by altering medications or heart disease treatments. Some may require a pacemaker( a device that beats their hearts electrically) either temporarily or permanently. For example, if you have a first-degree block you do not need any treatment, if you have a second-degree block and are experiencing symptoms, you need a temporary pacemaker whereas if you have a third-degree block you always need a pacemaker.
What Are The Non-Surgical Methods To Manage Heart Block:
The non-surgical management of heart block include:
- Drug therapy
- Balloon Angioplasty & Stenting
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Electrophysiology
How To Remove Heart Blockage Without Surgery In 24 Hours?
Cardiologists can rapidly treat patients with clogged or blocked coronary arteries without surgery by using angioplasty. A balloon-tipped catheter is inserted into the location of the restricted or blocked artery by a cardiologist, who subsequently inflates the balloon to open the vessel.
Another method that helps to manage heart block is the implantation of a pacemaker into your heart. The majority of pacemakers are inserted surgically beneath the skin of the chest. Pacemaker implantation is regarded as a minimal surgical operation. Usually, local anesthesia can be used to accomplish it. Your cardiologist will make a small incision in your chest wall just below your collarbone.
What Are the Various Natural Methods For Unblocking Arteries Without Surgery?
The following are the natural methods you can follow for unblocking the arteries:
- Cultivate a healthy lifestyle by giving up smoking, controlling your stress levels, eating a balanced diet low in saturated and trans fats, and getting regular exercise
- Take medications regularly to control hypertension, cholesterol, and high cholesterol levels
- Modify your diet by adding food items rich in antioxidants, omеga-3 fatty acids, and fiber which can help to reduce plaque buildup
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Involve in regular physical activities
- Some people look into chelation therapy, an intravenous procedure that uses drugs to flush the body of heavy metals and minerals in an effort to lessen arterial plaque. In the medical world, there is an ongoing dispute about its efficacy
- Take supplements like omega 3 fatty acid, coenzyme Q10, and red yeast that helps to support heart health
What All Things Have To Be Considered While Living With A Heart Block?
Follow your cardiologist's recommendations for taking medicine and using a pacemaker, if that applies to you. Make follow-up consultations whenever possible to ensure that your therapy is proceeding as planned.
Here are a few things to be followed to improve the quality of your life with a pacemaker:
- Stay active, but avoid contact sports activities
- Wear a necklace or bracelet with medical alerts
- To ensure your pacemaker is operating properly, have it regularly checked
- Avoid situations such as being near an electrical device or devices with strong magnetic fields which may disrupt the functioning of the pacemaker
- Inform all your doctors you are using a pacemaker each time you go for consultations. Also, keep a card on hand so that doctors can identify what type of pacemaker you have.
Conclusion:
Experiencing chest pain or difficulty in breathing might be disconcerting. However, getting a diagnosis of a heart block helps clarify the cause of your symptoms. The good news is that medications or pacemakers that maintain a regular heartbeat can successfully treat those who require medical attention. When talking about your treatment plan, make sure to ask your medical professional any questions you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: Can a heart block be treated with medication?
A: Yes, you can treat heart block with medication that your cardiologist prescribes. Many anti-arrhythmic medications can alter the electrical signals in the heart to maintain the regularity of the heartbeat. In general, the patient is monitored for two days while the medication has started.
Q: Does a pacemaker need major surgery?
A: The majority of pacemakers are inserted surgically beneath the skin of the chest. Pacemaker implantation is regarded as a minimal surgical operation. Usually, local anesthesia can be used to accomplish it. Your cardiologist will make a small incision in your chest wall just below your collarbone.
Q: Is pacemaker surgery painful?
A: You may feel some pain or discomfort during the first 48 hours after having a pacemaker fitted, and you will be given pain-relieving medication to control the pain. Additionally, there can be some bruises where the pacemaker was placed. This usually subsides in a few days.