How to check heart blockage at home?

A heart block causes the heart to beat irregularly or more slowly than usual, and it can halt for up to 20 seconds at a time. This is caused by a delay, blockage, or interruption in electrical impulses traveling to the heart, which can occur due to an injury or damage to the heart muscle or heart valves. Heart blockage symptoms may vary from patient to patient, depending on the severity of the blockage.

In the majority of cases of heart block, the signals slow down but do not stop entirely. Unlike coronary heart disease, a heart blockage does not impact the blood veins of the heart. It normally does not require treatment, although it might be connected to underlying health issues. This blog will help you understand different forms of heart blockages, symptoms to stay alert for, risk factors related to heart blockage, and treatment options.

What is the cardiac blockage?

Heart block is an issue with your heart’s electrical system, which controls your heart rate and rhythm and causes your heart to beat. The problem is AV (atrioventricular) block or conduction disorder.

A healthy human heart beats between 60 to 100 times each minute. A single heartbeat consists of a single contraction of the heart muscle, circulating blood throughout the body.

What are the types of heart blockage?

There are three types or intensities of heart block:

  • First-degree heart block — In this condition, there is a little disturbance in a heartbeat, with the heart maybe skipping a few beats. This does not necessitate treatment. In certain instances, though, your doctor may request that you wear a Holter monitor to watch your cardiac rhythm (anywhere between one day to one month).
  • Second-degree heart block – The condition occurs when electrical signals cannot reach the heart, resulting in irregular heartbeats and a sense of vertigo. A pacemaker may be necessary to address this type of cardiac obstruction in rare instances.
  • Third-degree heart block — This occurs when the electrical signals between the upper and lower chambers of the heart are blocked (and even a heart attack). A pacemaker is required for the treatment of this kind of block. Blocks of the third degree are more common in those with cardiac disease.

What are the common symptoms of heart block?

Chest pain is one of the most frequent heart blockage symptoms. Heart block may result in a heart attack or heart failure. A heart blockage can cause the following symptoms and effects:

  • Sudden cardiac arrest or heart failure
  • Acute pain or discomfort in the chest region
  • Unconsciousness or fainting
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Severe Fever
  • Heart palpitations
  • Swollen ankles
  • Breathing difficulties or uncommon respiratory disorders
  • Disruption in regular blood circulation
  • Inability to perform intense physical activity

If you have one or more of these symptoms, you may have a heart block. We urge that you see a doctor as soon as possible to get properly evaluated for a potential heart blockage. As previously stated, not all heart blockages are harmful. Several blockages might occur, and it is critical to correctly diagnose the type before adopting any treatment or therapy.

How is a Blocked heart diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will evaluate the following factors while diagnosing your condition:

  • Your general health and medical history
  • Any family history of heart illness or blockage
  • Medications you’re taking.
  • Smoking or taking illegal drugs are examples of lifestyle choices.
  • heart blockage symptoms you are experiencing
  • A physical exam
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) – The test records your heart’s electrical impulses. For a length of time, the doctor uses a Holter or event monitor to track your heart’s rhythm. Wearing a Holter monitor for 24 or 48 hours, or even many weeks is possible. You can wear An event monitor for up to a month. These assist in capturing variations in your heart rhythm, even if they do not occur frequently or reliably.
  • Implantable loop recorder – This is a tiny cardiac monitor implanted beneath the skin above the heart. It may record for up to three years and is effective in circumstances when conduction anomalies occur infrequently.
  • An electrophysiology study – This is an outpatient operation involving inserting small, flexible wires from your groin or arm to your heart to test the wiring system.

What are the Treatments available for heart blockage?

The cardiac blockage must be treated. If the patient is not treated, complications such as fainting with injury, low blood pressure, damage to other internal organs, and cardiac arrest may occur. Your treatment for heart blockage may depend on the type of heart block you have:

  • In a few instances, A heart specialist may recommend Changes to your medicines to treat the condition.
  • Firstly, you may not require treatment if you have a first-degree heart block.
  • For second-and third-degree heart block, a tiny device called a pacemaker might be implanted in your chest. This is “minimal” surgery, and you will be sedated for it. It works as a backup electrical system, instructing the heart to beat normally if it slows or stops.

What preventive steps can you take to avoid heart blockage?

A healthy lifestyle promotes general well-being, including heart health. This includes Exercising regularly, consuming a well-balanced diet, and avoiding smoking. Understanding the risks of your medications and discussing them with your doctor can help lower the chance of medicine-induced heart blockage. Following are the few lifestyles changes you should adopt to lower the risk of heart blockage-

  • Control your blood pressure
  • Manage your cholesterol and triglyceride levels 
  • Stay at a healthy weight
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Get regular exercise
  • Limit alcohol & avoid smoking
  • Manage stress
  • Monitor diabetes
  • Make sure that you get enough sleep

Conclusion – Angina and heart attacks can be caused by heart blockage. Fortunately, if you are aware of the disease’s risk factors and symptoms, you may be examined regularly, and your care plan can be adjusted.

You can do a lot to prevent or reduce the development of heart blockage. You can also discuss with your cardiologist in Delhi to develop lifestyle adjustments and possible treatment for the issues.

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