Second-degree atrioventricular block is a disease characterized by disturbance or delay of the conduction of the electrical impulses from the upper to the lower chambers of the heart, making the heartbeat slow or miss a beat. It can be temporary or permanent and it is classified into two types.
Patients may be asymptomatic, or they may suffer from symptoms such as:
Lightheadedness
Fainting or near-fainting
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Fatigue
Hypotension
Visit a Cardiologist for proper diagnosis and treatment if you have any of these symptoms
Low blood flow to the heart due to the narrowing of the heart’s blood vessels
Following heart surgery
Medication toxicity (ex: Digoxin, antiarrhythmic drugs)
Electrolyte imbalance
Rheumatic fever
Hyperthyroidism
Malignancies
Genetic mutations
Electrocardiogram (a simple test to examine the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart using skin-attached sensors to detect the electrical signals produced by the heart during each beat).
Laboratory tests: Blood or urine samples are taken to be examined, and this may include:
Electrolytes (ex: potassium, calcium, magnesium)
Thyroid functions
Troponin (a hormone produced by the heart)
Toxicology screening (to detect toxins in the blood or the presence of certain drugs)
Electrophysiologic testing (a detailed evaluation of electrical activity in the heart is done by using a catheter).
If there’s a known cause for this disorder it should be treated.
Treatment options:
Medications: Intravenous Atropine may be used in unstable patients with very slow heart rate.
Cardiac pacemaker: A small device implanted in the chest to control the heartbeats. In some cases, another temporary method may be used until it becomes convenient to implant this device.
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