Heart blocks are common in India and are increasing at a rate of 2.47% each year. Heart blockage is a disruption in the functioning of the organ, thus affecting blood circulation and the overall well-being of the individual. Categorized as a lifestyle disease, it is the most prevalent heart ailment that demands cardiac surgery. Let us discuss the common surgical management cardiologists recommend for heart blocks.
CABG for heart blocks
Most patients suffer from heart blocks because of blocks in the blood vessels of the heart. In such instances, the doctors will suggest the removal of heart blockage. This is best done through angioplasty. In angioplasty, the doctors send a catheter through a vein in the hand or leg to the heart and dissolve the clot. They also place a stent to regulate the blood flow in the blood vessels.
Most people think the moment they are diagnosed with heart block, they have to undergo bypass surgery. But this is not true; doctors will suggest medicines and alternate procedures, depending on the cause of the heart block. Coronary artery bypass surgery creates a new path for the blood to flow, bypassing the blocked blood vessel.
Heart block and its other causes:
A heart block is a cardiac condition where the rate and the rhythm of the heart are not regular. The heart begins to beat irregularly and will not follow a pattern. Also, the number of times it beats will vary irregularly against time. The common cause of heart block is disruption in the sino-atrial node (natural pacemaker of the heart). This node sends electrical impulses for the heart to pump at a specific rate and rhythm. When this node is affected, it cannot send appropriate signals for the heart to contract and relax. This results in irregularities in the heartbeat.
The major cause of this disruption is blocks in the arteries and inflammation of the heart muscles. It could also be congenital (present at birth). In most cases, doctors manage this condition through cardiac surgery. However, alternate strategies are also suggested, depending on the degree of the heart block.
Other treatment approaches for heart blocks
Removal of heart blockage is the treatment of choice for heart blocks. But if the block is due to other reasons, doctors will suggest alternate treatment options, as follows.
- After diagnosing heart block, the doctor would first suggest changes in the lifestyle, and to include a balanced diet and physical activity in everyday routine. Daily exercise for 30 minutes and a diet rich in fiber and protein will do wonders for the heart. Avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption can significantly improve health and heart function.
- Anti-arrhythmic medicines can also cure heart block that modifies the electrical signals of the heart, thus regulating the heartbeat. Apart from these two techniques, pacemaker implantation is also a viable treatment option.
- Doctors will perform this cardiac surgery under general anesthesia and implant the pacemaker in the heart tissue. This will send the electrical impulses to the heart as necessary and regulate its rhythm.
- Catheter ablation is an emerging medical treatment for catheter ablation. In this procedure, the cardiologist will send a metal-tipped wire to the heart through a vein and artery to stop abnormal electrical impulses in the heart.
FAQ:
What is an implantable cardioverter defibrillator?
For individuals who are prone to life-threatening rapid heart rhythms, doctors will implant this device. This is similar to the pacemaker but is slightly bigger. Doctors will implant it under the skin, below the collarbone. It sends electrical impulses when the rate is too fast or too slow.
Bottom Line:
Heart block is a serious and life-threatening condition that demands appropriate treatment and care. Starting from making changes in the lifestyle and diet to following appropriate medications, it is a lifelong process. The best way to find a perfect solution for heart blocks is through cardiac surgery. This also avoids life-threatening complications in the future. Finding the best hospital with expert cardiologists is also the key to managing heart blocks. The cardiologist will fix the best treatment modality to manage heart block and CABG need not be the only treatment option for heart blocks.
