Health Information : Complete Heart Block (CHB)

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What is Complete Heart Block (CHB)?

Complete Heart Block (CHB) occurs when the electrical signals can’t pass normally from the atria, the heart’s upper chambers, to the ventricles or lower chambers. It may also occur when damage is caused to the atrioventricular node during the surgery. However, it may result spontaneously even without surgery. The doctors make use of an artificial pacemaker to restore a normal heart rate and rhythm.

What causes CHB?

CHB can be congenital, means, it can be acquired at birth. However, one may even develop it during their lifetime. Many factors that are responsible for acquired heart block are:

• Damage to the heart from heart attack
• Age related
• Myocarditis
• Heart failure
• Rheumatic fever
• Cardiomyopathy

What are the symptoms of CHB?

Some people with CHB experience no symptoms at all but some have visible signs & symptoms of CHB, namely:

• Fainting spells
• Light headedness or diziness
• Palpitations
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

How can CHB be treated?

Treatment for CHB depends on the severity of the problem. In case, of first degree CHB, you may not require any treatment. But for second and third degree CHB, you may need a pacemaker implanted so that your heart can beat at normal rate.