Show A heart block causes the heart to beat irregularly or more slowly than normal, potentially stopping for up to 20 seconds at a time. This is caused by a delay, obstruction or disruption along the pathway of the electrical impulses that travel to the heart, sometimes resulting from an injury or damage to the heart muscle or heart valves. A heart block, unlike coronary heart disease, doesn’t affect the heart’s blood vessels. It does not usually require treatment, but could be related to underlying health conditions.
Heart block typically causes lightheadedness, fainting, and palpitations. In severe cases, a heart block can cause heart failure. In the case of a sudden cardiac arrest, a heart block can also cause chest pain. Coronary heart disease, on the other hand, results when there is plaque build-up on the coronary arteries. This can cause angina (chest pain) or myocardial infarction (heart attack). Types Of Heart BlockA heart block can be present right from birth (congenital), but most often heart blocks develop after birth. In general, the risk of acquired heart block increases with age, along with the incidence of heart disease. Keeping this in mind, heart blocks can be categorized into three types:
Who Is At Risk Of A Heart Attack?
In the case of an acquired heart block, the following conditions increase the risk:
Symptoms Of Heart BlockAbnormal heart rhythm is a change in either the speed or the pattern of the heartbeat. It may beat too slowly (bradycardias), too fast (tachycardias) or irregularly. Some abnormal heart rhythms occur in one of the atriums and are called atrial, others occur in the ventricles and are called ventricular. If a person has a heart block, they may experience the following symptoms:
What does a blockage in the heart feel like?A completely blocked coronary artery will cause a heart attack. The classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing chest pain or pressure, shoulder or arm pain, shortness of breath, and sweating. Women may have less typical symptoms, such as neck or jaw pain, nausea and fatigue.
How do you check for heart blockage?A CT scan of the heart can show calcium deposits and blockages in the heart arteries. Calcium deposits can narrow the arteries. Sometimes dye is given by IV during this test. The dye helps create detailed pictures of the heart arteries.
How can I check my heart for blockage at home?Official answer. You can check for heart disease at home by measuring your pulse rate and your blood pressure if you have a blood pressure monitor. You can also monitor yourself for symptoms of heart disease, such as: Chest pain, pressure, discomfort, or tightness.
What are the early signs of artery blockage?In addition to chest pain, symptoms of a clogged artery may include:. Dizziness.. Feeling like your heart is racing (heart palpitations). Nausea.. Shortness of breath.. Sweating.. Weakness.. |