Heart Block Adult

Causes

Heart block is caused by:

• Underlying heart disease or certain heart defects
• Certain medicines

Risk Factors

The risk of heart block increases with age. Other things that may raise the risk are:

• History of heart disease, such as a heart attack, heart failure, valve problems, and endocarditis
• An inherited heart defect
• Conditions that affect the heart such as sarcoidosis, rheumatic fever, or Lyme disease
• Medicines such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or digitalis

Symptoms

Symptoms of heart block may be:

• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Chest pain
• Problems breathing

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. A heart doctor may make the diagnosis.

Diagnosis is based on tests, such as:

• ECG—tests electrical activity of the heart
• Echocardiogram—imaging exam of the heart to look for structural heart disease

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of heart block. In general, treatment may not be needed for first-degree heart block.

If medicines are causing heart block, they will be stopped or changed.

Some second degree—and all third degree heart block—will need a pacemaker. A pacemaker is an implanted device to help the heart beat at a normal pace.

Underlying conditions will also need to be treated.

Prevention

Some heart block cannot be prevented. For others, the risk may be lowered by:

• Treating heart problems
• Having a heart healthy lifestyle that includes:
  • Regular exercise
  • A diet low in animal fat and rich in lean proteins, vegetables, and fruit
  • Reducing stress
  • Not smoking
  • Limiting or not using alcohol and caffeine
• Not using medicines that can cause heart block