Bifascicular block is a heart condition where two bundles of vascular tissue fail to send the appropriate signal, leading to an irregular heartbeat. It can be a birth defect or caused by heart events, medication, or vascular conditions. It can cause no symptoms or dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath. It can be diagnosed through an electrocardiogram and treated with medication or a pacemaker. It can be dangerous, especially when combined with other heart problems.
Bifascicular block is a chronic heart condition in which two bundles of vascular tissue that control the heart fail to send the appropriate signal. The heart does not receive adequate electrical impulses, which can lead to an irregular heartbeat. Three main fascicles function within the heart: the right fascicle, the left anterior fascicle, and the left posterior fascicle. A bifascicular block combines two of these pathways.
This condition is a birth defect that may go undiagnosed for years in some patients, while in other cases the blockage is caused by a traumatic heart event, such as a heart attack or heart surgery. Some medications are associated with heart blocks, and this disorder is more common among people with other heart problems, such as congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction. Vascular conditions, such as high blood pressure or blood clots, can also contribute to vascular blockage.
Also known as bundle branch block, bifascicular block can make it difficult for the heart to pump hard enough to efficiently circulate enough blood throughout the body. In many cases, it causes no symptoms, although some people may experience dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or shortness of breath. A patient with a blockage may have a slow or irregular heartbeat.
A bifascicular block is a dangerous medical condition, especially when combined with other heart problems. It can cause the heart to stop beating altogether in a fatal cardiac arrest. Patients with this condition have a higher risk of mortality during a heart attack than patients with healthy fascicles. Patients are advised to wear a bracelet or tag indicating they have this problem in case of a cardiac emergency.
In cases where healthcare professionals suspect a blockage, they will order an electrocardiogram. The condition can also be diagnosed accidentally while your doctor is looking at other heart conditions using this test. This test is typically followed by an echocardiogram, which allows the healthcare provider to visualize the motion of the beating heart.
In most cases, bifascicular block is not treated, but will be closely monitored. A patient may be treated for associated heart problems, and a doctor may review the patient’s regular medications and attempt to find alternatives to those that may be exacerbating the effect of the blockage. If the patient has a history of fainting associated with the problem, he may be fitted with a pacemaker to mimic the electrical impulses missing from the heart.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
