What're the treatments for heart block?
The most important aspect of managing someone who has heart block is whether or not the person needs a permanent cardiac pacemaker implanted. Anyone who has symptoms associated with second or third-degree heart block should have a permanent pacemaker implanted.
First-degree heart block requires no treatment even when it is caused by heart disease. Some people with second-degree heart block require an artificial pacemaker. Almost all people with third-degree heart block require an artificial pacemaker. A temporary pacemaker may be used in an emergency until a permanent one can be implanted. Most people need an artificial pacemaker for the rest of their lives, although heart rhythm may return to normal if the cause of the heart block resolves - for example, after recovery from a heart attack.
There are other specialised circumstances in which a pacemaker may be required, but full investigation is needed by a specialist in this field before any decision can be made. A pacemaker is an electronic device which is designed to monitor the heart rhythm and stimulate the heart beat in one or more chambers when the heart beat slows. The pacemaker operates according to programmed instructions to stimulate the heart at a rate and in a sequence that is appropriate for a particular medical condition. The instruction the pacemaker follows are as directed by the patient's physician and can be changed after implantation by using a device called a programmer which communicates with a pacemaker using radio-telemetry. |
