Heart block is commonly seen in patients as they get older but can be caused by infection (Lyme disease), high blood pressure, exposure to toxic substances or powerful drugs such as those used to treat cancer or coronary heart disease. There are a large number of causes of heart block and occasionally it is not possible to delineate the cause. However, even when the clear cause is not known, given the consequences, this doesn’t alter the treatment which in cases of advanced heart block is a pacemaker.

 

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What are the symptoms of Heart Block?

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Heart block may present in different ways: dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath.

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A milder form may not result in any symptoms and will therefore not usually require treatment

 

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What assessment do I need if I have Heart Block?

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An ECG test is the most common method of assessing whether a patient has heart block, and your cardiologist may also ask you to undertake ECG monitoring over a period of time to thoroughly assess your conduction system. Additional testing with exercise stress testing and transthoracic  echocardiography.

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What are the treatments for Heart Block?

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For certain types of heart block no immediate intervention is required and such patients can often be managed with surveillance and periodic re-assessment under follow up.

All medications potentially causing heart block should be discontinued if possible.

For advance heart block, a pacemaker will be required to correct the heart rhythm abnormality.

 

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What interventions/ treatments does CardioCare offer for heart block?

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• Pacemaker implantation

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