Heart Block

Heart Block a type of Arrhythmia, also known as Bradycardia is caused when the electrical signals to the lower chambers of the heart or ventricles slow down or are interrupted. This can cause the heart muscle to contract. This could also be caused due to certain side effect caused by some medications. There can be a few cases, where the cause is difficult to identify, in fact an uncommon form of this condition can also occur in some infants and is known as congenital heart block.

Heart block is most commonly known to occur in elderly people, especially those who suffer from disease such as Cardiomyopathy, Rheumatic Heart Disease, Coronary Artery Disease and Untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Third degree heart block also known as complete atrioventricular block is a complication that is caused from a heart attack, but could also result from infection in the heart muscles or from heart surgery as well.

Symptoms
The symptoms of a heart block could range form lightheadedness to fainting to fatigue.

Diagnosis
The condition is diagnosed through a procedure known as electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG). This test provides a printed record of one’s hearts electrical activity, and informs one about the size, damage and rhythm.

Treatment
Heart block needs to be treated by the implantation of a pacemaker. The pacemaker is responsible for providing regular heart stimulation and allows the heart to beat in a regular rhythm.

Diet
A healthy diet for those who have a heart bloc should include:

1) Fat intake should be limited to not more than 20 – 25 % of total calories consumed. Even less than 7% of total calories should come from saturated fat. 10% of calories should come from polyunsaturated fats, and up to 20% of calories should come from monounsaturated fats.

2) When it comes to dietary cholesterol less than 200 mg a day should be consumed.

3) Speak with a Registered Holistic Nutritionist to learn what a healthy calorie intake would be for you and maintain that to maintain an ideal weight.

4) Salt intake should be reduced to just 2 gms a day.

5) Fill your diet with lost of fresh fruits and vegetables.

6) High iron intake can increase Atherosclerosis, and therefore it is important to limit one’s iron intake.

7) Include complex carbohydrates like fiber and starch that come from brown rice and whole grains. Other sources of complex carbohydrates include barley bran, oats and legumes.

8) Speak with your health practitioner to learn if you could supplement your diet be B Vitamins as it can be beneficial in some cases.

It is extremely important for those who have a heart block to take care of their daily diet and lifestyle habits. Only take on a diet that you have read about after consulting your heart specialist. A Registered Holistic Nutritionist can provide you with diet plans that will make your heart strong and a homeopath too can provide you with alternate ideas that can make your heart healthier, but the final call must lie with the heart specialist.