Heart block

Symptoms of heart block may include: dizziness fainting or feeling like you're about to faint chest pain tiredness shortness of breath These symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the type of heart block you have and how it's affecting you. You may have no symptoms and only find out you have heart block during tests for something else.

The main test used to diagnose heart block is an electrocardiogram (ECG) , which measures the electrical activity of your heart. It usually only takes a few minutes, but you may be asked to wear a portable ECG for 1 or 2 days to monitor your heart. Other tests that may be used to help diagnose heart block include: an echocardiogram or MRI scan – to get a picture of your heart and the nearby blood vessels exercise tests – to check your heart while you use a bike or treadmill blood tests

The most common type of heart block is called AV (atrioventricular) heart block. AV heart block may be diagnosed as: 1st-degree – which does not usually need treatment 2nd-degree – which sometimes needs treatment 3rd-degree (complete) – which often needs treatment There are other types of heart block which affect different areas of the heart, but the symptoms are often similar.

The treatment for heart block depends on what's causing it and whether you have any symptoms. If you have heart block that is not causing any symptoms, you will not usually need any treatment. If you have severe symptoms, you may need a pacemaker , which keeps your heart beating regularly and not too slowly. You may need a pacemaker for a short time or permanently, depending on what's causing your heart block.

Heart block is most often caused by a heart condition such as coronary heart disease, or a heart attack. Sometimes babies are born with heart block, known as congenital heart block. Other possible causes of AV heart block include: taking some types of medicine infection and inflammation of the heart, caused by another condition having heart surgery Sometimes there's no obvious cause.

If you're diagnosed with heart block, you can get advice and support from your GP or other healthcare professionals. You can also get information and support from the British Heart Foundation. The British Heart Foundation The British Heart Foundation is a charity that provides information and support for anyone living with a heart condition. Website: www.bhf.org.uk Heart block (British Heart Foundation) Heart Helpline: call, email or chat with a cardiac nurse (British Heart Foundation)