Plz help me, its about my FRIEND'S HEART Problem, IS SHE DYING?

Question

my friend has been feeling really weak for a while, losing strenght in arms. She faints out of no where. The Doctors are saying it could be because of a heart block. Does this mean she is dying? Is there any treatment? Is this Fatal?

Answer 1

If her condition is caused by a heart block, she is not dying (yet). But it can be a dangerous condition.

The heart is seperated, functionally, into a top half (atria) and bottom half (ventricles). An electrical system runs between them. The top half has a set of cells (SA node) that act like a drum beat and set the pace of the heartrate (a pacemaker). The signal start at the top and causes the atria to contract. The signal then gets delayed for a fraction of a second (AV node) and then travels to the bottom half of the heart causing the bottom half to contract.

In complete heart block, instead of getting delayed in the AV node, the signal node is blocked. Whoops. So now the bottom, more important half, can't contract. So why doesn't she die then? Because the bottom half of the heart, realizing that there is no signal to contract, will contract on it own. This is called a ventricular escape rhythm. This allows the heart to beat, but at a much slower rate than normal. The amount of blood per minute that her heart will pump goes down and so does her blood pressure. She will feel weak and faint and may pass out. If left uncorrected and it worsens, it can be fatal.

The treatment is relatively simple. They can implant an artifical pacemaker which will either drive the heart all of the time, or they can install a smart pacemaker that monitors her heart and intervenes when necessary.

Her cardiologist can discuss these options with her and should also be conducting a through exam, taking a complete history, and possibly runnign some tests to establish that this is the correct problem and course of action.

Answer 2

WAITTTT

The doctors said could be...
please inquire more about it, because heart block is usually a definitive diagnosis.

Although it sounds very dangerous but the heart doesn't block, the electric system in the heart gets blocked.
It is as if a wiring is cut off, replace the wiring and everything is good again.
Of course we are talking of a human body so it is not as simple but it can be done by inserting pacemakers.
However even pacemakers are not always required.

The doctors, if they have diagnose heart block should also tell you what degree the block is, that is whether first second or third.
Only some types of second degree ad third degree blocks require pacemaker treatment, provided there are no other co morbidities.

others can be managed on drugs.

it does mean however that the patient will have to restrict a few of her activities.

also determine the cause of the heart block, consult a cardiologist for that.

Take home message, don't be afraid of the term heart block...

Answer 3

A heart block is a disease in the electrical system of the heart. This is opposed to coronary artery disease, which is disease of the blood vessels of the heart. While coronary artery disease can cause angina (chest pain) or myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart block can cause lightheadedness, syncope (fainting), and palpitations.
Medications
Treatment of underlying conditions may involve using medications to reduce high blood pressure, or drugs to reduce the effects of heart failure.
The American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend treatment called reperfusion therapy for people with left bundle branch block who are suspected of having had a heart attack. This treatment involves using drugs such as streptokinase or tissue plasminogen activator to dissolve blood clots and increase the flow of blood to the heart.
Artificial pacemakers
In a minority of people with bundle branch block, doctors may recommend implanting an artificial pacemaker. This pacemaker is a compact battery-operated device, as tiny as a quarter and weighing as little as an ounce, that can be implanted under your skin (internal pacemaker). Although nonimplantable devices are also available for external use, doctors use them less often in people with bundle branch block.
Internal pacemakers are placed near your collarbone during a one- to two-hour surgical procedure performed with local anesthesia. The pacemaker contains an insulated wire or electrode that is secured to the wall of your heart, and that provides electrical stimulus or pulses that keep your heart contracting regularly. These devices have sensors that can detect when your heart needs a signal from the pacemaker to normalize the rate.
Candidates for a pacemaker include people with bundle branch block who are considered to have a high risk of experiencing a complete heart block. The pacemaker can keep your heart beating at the proper rate even if a complete block develops. A pacemaker may also be an option if you have repeated episodes of fainting.
If you need a pacemaker, your doctor can explain any precautions you need to take in order to minimize interference with the device's heart-stabilization activity, and to reduce risks associated with their use.
Please see the web pages for more details on Bundle branch block.

Answer 4

There are treatments available, and your friend should see a doctor about them immediately. Heart problems can be fatal if not dealt with.

Good luck!

Answer 5

nicely specific it fairly is deadly. yet i could think of if she has a heart block and is fainting they could place stents in her heart. How old is this guy or woman? Is she no longer able to undergo surgical treatment?

Answer 6

her doctors will tell her. hun, i know its hard, but untill you hear the facts from doctors, just be the best friend you can possibly be and stand by her so she knows you are there for her, and care about her.

Answer 7

yes there is treatment


depends if u or her is smart anoff to falow

just a sec

ok here is the info u need

http://www.lef.org/protocols/heart_circulatory/congestive_heart_failure_01.htm

start takin fish oil