So I’ve had some health issues as a result of a bad reaction to Stellara (a medication to control ulcerative colitis). Started with sinus congestion, which led to chest congestion, bad coughing fits. One morning it was so bad I was almost suffocating because I couldn’t get a good inhale, and with the coughing, I almost passed out. Wife says it’s time to go to the ER.
After a bunch of tests that came up with nothing in the way of lungs or airways, they said the EEG showed I have “1st degree AV block”. Nothing to worry about… *for now. *Basically it means that one heart chamber empties slower than the others.
**
Wiki says: Atrioventricular block (AV block) is a type of heart block that occurs when the electrical signal traveling from the atria, or the upper chambers of the heart, to ventricles, or the lower chambers of the heart, is impaired. Normally, the sinoatrial node (SA node) produces an electrical signal to control the heart rate. The signal travels from the SA node to the ventricles through the atrioventricular node (AV node). In an AV block, this electrical signal is either delayed or completely blocked. When the signal is completely blocked, the ventricles produce their own electrical signal to control the heart rate. The heart rate produced by the ventricles is much slower than that produced by the SA node.
Next paragragh says: Some AV blocks are benign, or normal, in certain people, such as in athletes or children.
So the question: Anyone else here been diagnosed with the same? Any issues? Any one progress to 2nd degree?
I have one. It’s pretty normal in athletes (and I’m far from the pointy end!), . Generally they don’t progress to type 2, it’s kind of a different thing physiologically (type 1 is caused by electrical signal to the heart, type 2 by structural damage). They tend to be completely asymptomatic, in fact you see as heart rate increases they usually go away. For example in my case I can have a long PR interval (how AV block is diagnosed) first thing in the morning, but if I just walk around for a couple of mins to get my heart rate up it goes away.
There is some research suggesting people with type 1 AV block are at greater risk of developing arrhythmias in future.
I was diagnosed in my mid-20s and was told at the time it was benign and common in athletes. I have never experienced any symptoms. Outside of the initial diagnoses, my doctors have monitored it but have never even referred me to a cardiologist for regular care. It has never progressed and if fact, during my last ECG (about 3 years ago), my doctor said my PR intervals were right on the dividing line between having a block and not. So mine seems to be getting better / going away. I am NOT a doctor and I am not saying that it’s not a big deal, but don’t let hearing that you have a “heart block” freak you out. For me personally (now in my mid-40s), it’s been totally benign and not an issue at all.
I am a Cardiac ICU nurse, but I am also a random person on the internet, so take this with a grain of salt or whatever, but I would not let yourself lose sleep over a 1st degree. Stay in touch with your docs as you normally would, report any abnormal symptoms like light headedness, palpitations, etc as you normally would. But I would not allow yourself to think less of your heart because of this diagnosis. As you and others have said, it is benign 99% of the time.
I was diagnosed with a first degree AV block about 12 years ago. The cardiologist said i had nothing to worry about. My GP’s comment was “there are a lot of people walking around with that”. Both said to just continue with whatever I was doing for training - it wasn’t going to cause any problems.
About four years ago, I had some odd stuff going on. Cardiologist (different one because I had moved in the interim) ordered an ECG and then a Holter test. That showed a second degree AV block. There are two kinds of second degree - Type 1 and Type 2. I have Type 1 which is less severe/threatening. The cardiologist still says to continue with whatever training effort that I want. However, I now see him once a year for a check, an ECG and sometimes another Holter test. I am to call him if I ever start feeling dizzy or light-headed - I htink those are indications of a possible Type2 which is more serious and may need a pacemaker.
I don’t do as many hard races or training sessions as i used to, but that is more because, at age 68, i need a lot more recovery time than I did 10 or 12 years ago. Individual efforts feel just as hard, but there aren’t as many of them. And they are slower, a lot slower.
I don’t know whether AV Blocks necessarily progress from one degree or type to the next. I have no medical training. I have only read bits and bobs from Wikipedia, the Mayo clinic and such places.
(I am months late to reply to this. I don’t read Slowtwitch regularly these days.)