Heart Block

Heart block is a type of bradycardia which is referred as slow heart beat usually less than 60 times per minute. It is occurred when the beat originating in the upper chambers of the heart cannot pass normally to the lower chambers of the heart. This is sometimes called AV block, because the beat is unable to pass through the atrioventricular node that joins the upper and lower chambers of the heart.

The heart block has different types. In the first type, the beats pass from the upper chambers to the lower chambers with slower rate than normal. In the second type of heart block, during passage of beats from the upper to lower chambers of heart, some beats are dropped. In the third type of heart block, the beats are not able to pass from the upper to the lower chambers at all. This is known as complete heart block. In such situation the lower chambers originate their own impulses. In this way both heart chambers still pump blood but with a slower rate.

The most common symptoms of hear block include fatigue, weakness, dizziness or light-headedness, fainting or nearly fainting, shortness of breath. The underlying causes of heart block could be high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, drugs or alcohol abuse, excess weight, high fat diet, sedentary lifestyle, stress, and certain medicines. These causes are falls under the category of controllable risk factors. The causes which fall under the non controllable risk factors include family history of heart disease, congenital heart disorders (heart problems present at birth), aging and gender.

To avoid heart problem, in general, and heart block particularly, drinking plenty of water, eating healthy diet, eliminating unnecessary stress, exercising regularly, and swimming, maintaining weight and regular check up from doctor is necessary. More severe forms of heart block usually are needed to be treated with artificial permanent pacemaker. The pacemaker can replace the function of sinus node (SV node) and can help the heart to beat properly.

Pacemaker consists of a lead, a thin coated wire, which is inserted through a vein, and the tip of the lead, called the electrode, is placed in either the upper or the lower chamber of the heart against the heart line. The pulse generator is placed under the chest. It encases the electronic circuitry of the pacemaker.