How to Recognize Heart Block

Heart block is a condition that occurs when the electrical impulses that regulate the heart rate have trouble passing from the heart's upper chambers (atria) to its lower chambers (ventricles). Heart block may be caused by malfunctioning of the heart's natural pacemaker, the sinus node. Because this condition can have life-threatening consequences, you should become familiar with these signs to recognize heart block. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

• 1

  Ask questions if you know of a history of slow heart beat from birth or even observed on an ultrasound. Congenital heart block is present from birth.

• 2

  Take your pulse. The most common place to take a pulse is in the wrist. Place the index and middle finger on the inside of your wrist on the thumb side; count beats for 10 seconds, then multiply by six to get the minute total. A resting pulse rate of less than 50 beats per minute for adults should be checked.

• 3

  Get a medical check-up if you notice problems with shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness. These symptoms occur in Type I second-degree heart block, in which delayed impulses result in an occasional skipped beat. The doctor will listen to your heart. Any irregularities, particularly a faint heartbeat sounding like it's coming from a tunnel, should be checked by a cardiologist who will arrange for further tests.

• 4

  Monitor your condition if you have a history of cardiac disease. Heart surgeries, myocardial infarctions or congestive heart failure can be precipitating factors for heart block.

• 5

  Contact a medical professional for any fainting or loss of consciousness, which can indicate third-degree heart block. Electrical impulses cannot reach the ventricles in what is also known as complete AV block. Ventricles contract and pump blood independently of the atria, but at a slower rate that makes it difficult for the heart to function. Complete heart block without treatment can lead to cardiac arrest.

• 6

  Recognize changes. Heart block often progresses from first degree to complete heart block. Sometimes the process takes years; other times hours. Notify your cardiologist with changes and make regular ECG and Holter monitoring (a portable ECG that records heart activity over longer periods) a part of routine exams.