How long can the heart stop without damage?

Question

What I mean is, when I found out I had a third heart block, my family doctor said that my heart had stopped for 13 seconds. I was curious, if I should be concerned now, 6 days later after the incident. I was let known two days ago. I am very concerned but was given very little info to go on until I see the next doctor.

Answer 1

That depends on why the heart stops. 13 seconds is not a long time, given something only as serious as, say, a really bad vasovagal event. On the other hand, if it's because of ventricular fibrillation, anything over a minute will probably be fatal (precisely, if the heart stops because of VF, DC countershock--defibrillator--has a 97% chance of restoring heart function. The percentage falls exponentially for every minute thereafter)

Now, are you sure that you have third-degree heart block? It does depend on just where the block is (the Bundle of His is a common site), but the result is a complete dissociation of the atria fromt he ventricles, and the frequency of the "escape beats" will determine how well your heart works for the near future. That's not much to depend on, for it could fail at any time.

Third-degree heart block is such a hemodynamically unstable condition (ie, you could die at any time) that I'm quite surprised that you are not in the hospital being fitted for a pacemaker. Keep an eye on it. If it is true, you need a great deal of help very soon.

Answer 2

I cannot believe someone diagnosed you as having a complete heart block and did not immediately put you in a hospital for a pacemaker. Did this condition resolve? In 3rd degree block, your atria, which is the pacemaker of the heart, continue to beat, but there is no ventricular beat that immediately follows. Since it is the ventricles that supply your blood pressure and pulse, this is the rate that is important. So when your heart 'stopped', what your doctor meant is that the ventricles did not beat for that length of time, but the atria would have continued to beat normally. This is a SERIOUS condition. If he has referred you to a cardiologist, call the cardiologist directly. This is one of the problems with insurance complanies and the referral system. Make the Cardiologist aware of what you have and you'll likely get an appt. immediately. Yes, you should be concerned.

Answer 3

3-4 minutes.

Third degree heart block is rarely fatal although it can make unable to stand up. Sometimes certain drugs can contribute to the problem (beta blocker, calcium channel blockers, digitalis) and taking away those drugs sometimes solves the problem. Most people with it need a pacemaker, though.