About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Heart Block: Understanding the Condition
Introduction
Heart block is a condition affecting the electrical conduction system of the heart. It disrupts the normal heartbeat, leading to slow or irregular rhythms. This can range from mild to severe, depending on the degree of blockage.
Types of Heart Block
There are three main degrees of heart block:
1. First-Degree Heart Block
- Description: A mild form where electrical signals slow down but still reach the ventricles.
- Symptoms: Usually asymptomatic and found during routine ECG.
- Treatment: Generally, no treatment is needed unless associated with other cardiac conditions.
2. Second-Degree Heart Block
This is further classified into: - Mobitz Type I (Wenckebach): The electrical signals progressively slow down until one is completely blocked. - Mobitz Type II: Some signals fail to reach the ventricles, often more serious than Type I. - Symptoms: Dizziness, fatigue, occasional fainting. - Treatment: Observation or a pacemaker if severe.
3. Third-Degree (Complete) Heart Block
- Description: No electrical signals pass from the atria to the ventricles.
- Symptoms: Severe fatigue, fainting, slow heart rate, and risk of cardiac arrest.
- Treatment: A pacemaker is usually required.
Causes of Heart Block
- Aging-related degeneration of the heart's conduction system.
- Heart diseases (e.g., coronary artery disease, myocarditis).
- Electrolyte imbalances (e.g., high potassium levels).
- Side effects of certain medications (e.g., beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers).
Diagnosis
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): The primary tool for diagnosing heart block.
- Holter Monitor: Records heart activity over 24-48 hours.
- Electrophysiological Study: Helps determine the exact location of the block.
Treatment Options
- Observation: Mild cases may not require treatment.
- Pacemaker: The primary treatment for second-degree Mobitz II and complete heart block.
- Medication Adjustments: Stopping or adjusting drugs that may worsen conduction.
Prevention
- Managing risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease.
- Regular medical check-ups to detect early conduction abnormalities.
- Avoiding medications that may negatively affect conduction.
Conclusion
Heart block can range from mild to life-threatening. Early diagnosis and appropriate management, including lifestyle changes or pacemaker implantation, can ensure a good quality of life.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Cardiac Conduction Disorders
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/conduction-disorders
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30412709/
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30586772/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000628
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Cardiac Arrhythmias
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Ventricular-Arrhythmias-and-the-Prevention-of-Sudden-Cardiac-Death
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/40/3997/6675633
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Supraventricular-Tachycardia
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017572/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.0000091380.04100.84
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.