Recently had a 7 day heart monitor due to occasional skipped heart beats I was experiencing and the results have come back as first degree AV block with nocturnal/morning episodes of Wenkerbach.
Doctor told me I may need to have a pacemaker but could not give me much more information and I have been referred to a cardiologist.
I am a 40 year old male, very active and still play sports competitively so was a bit shocked that something is wrong.
I am really worried while I am waiting for my cardiologist appointment and just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience and what should I expect from here.
I am also going away in a couple of days for a week abroad which has worried in case something happens whilst I am there!
Thanks in advance
Written by
Jay83
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I can’t offer any advice on the AV block side of things however, I did notice that you said you’ll be going abroad soon.
Just to make you aware, you will have to declare this diagnosis to your travel insurance provider. It sounds like you are still under investigation, if that’s the case, this is very unlikely to be covered by any travel insurance provider and will be exempt from your policy.
Please do have a discussion with your travel insurance provider first before travelling so you’re travelling on the right policy for you.
If you are travelling with any medications prescribed for your heart, do check with the destination you are flying to that these medications are allowed within their country. If not, you will have to declare them beforehand. Take doctors notes that show you have been prescribed these medications, if any, on holiday with you as well.
Thank you for the advice. I already contacted my travel insurance and it has been declared that I am under investigation. They said I am covered this time but would not be on any future trips without diagnosis.
Yes I have done a bit of a Google search and tried to understand a bit more about it with results varying from no treatment needed to pacemakers and what you said all makes sense.Frustrating to think I may need to give up intense exercise but luckily I do not smoke and only drink alcohol occasionally.
What symptoms did you get that lead to you being investigated further?
Hi, I am sorry to hear the issues you are experiencing. It is a shock and worrying. I can share with you my experience, if this is of help. I am also a nurse but I am not offering any medical advice. Just my thoughts. I was in my early 50's no heart issues when problems began.
I was diagnosed with 2nd degree heart block from a 24 hour tape. mine was 2:1 so really hard to tell if type1 mobitz also called wenkeback or type 2 mobitz. So I was advised by cardiologist to have a loop recorder. After just a few weeks with the loop recorder confirmed as 2nd Degree type 2 and also symptomatic and episodes immediately preceded by ectopics so a pace maker was advised. Type 1, 2nd degree is were you get a prolongation of the PR complex and ultimately get a dropped beat every now and then usually 1 dropped beat for every 3 beats. This is usually not an issue if no/few symptoms and nocturnal episodes as I understand are quite common. Type 2, 2nd degree you just get a dropped beat with no prolongation and usually a pacemaker is indicated especially if symptomatic. This type is likely to deteriorate.
The cardiologist will look at all of this and I am sure will discuss with you. It is a stressful time and it is very easy to say don't worry. It is hard not to let this dominate your life.
Dr Gupta cardiologist in York has some very useful advice/videos or the BHF. Dr Google is not always best and can be quite alarming. If at all possible please carry on enjoying your life and the things you usually do. A pacemaker has removed most of my symptoms and I do everything I used to do. In my experience 2nd degree type 1 often doesn't result in a pacemaker, but if it does life is still great. Keep us posted , and share any anxieties you have. You will get great support on this forum
I am a 29 year old female who also had the surprising news of finding out I have second degree heart block! I have type 2, Mobitz.
I have been symptomatic for many years and back and forth to the GP, etc! Eventually I had a 7 day monitor and it was picked up. I saw my Cardiologist in early December, by mid Jan I had a loop recorder fitted and I am now a few weeks away from my next appointment with him to follow up the findings of the loop recorder and how to proceed. At the time he said a pacemaker may be necessary, but he’d have to be really really certain it was the right thing to do due to my age.
I hope you can take a little comfort in knowing you are not alone. Fingers crossed your appointment comes through soon.
It must be very frustrating for someone of your age an level of fitness to have heart issues, but please do not worry, all the help and support you need is on this forum.
Like Esentepe, I also have a 2:1 block which has been confirmed as Mobitz type 2, and it has been treated with a pacemaker. According to one of the electrophysiologists who was performing my annual pacemaker check, I also have intermittent complete heart block, but this hasn't been confirmed by a cardiologist.
I first noticed symptoms about a year before I was diagnosed. These included shortness of breath, tiredness, light headedness and general felling of weakness. I also have asthma/COPD and an under active thyroid and blamed these symptoms on my thyroid.
In true male fashion, I didn't bother to see my GP, and in the end, I collapsed and was taken to hospital where they discovered my heart block (the paramedic spotted it) and fitted the pacemaker.
Mobitz type 2 is more serious than Stage 1 block or Wenkebach, but your cardiologist will decide if you need a pacemaker or not.
If you do need a pacemaker, please do not worry; it will give you a new lease of life and you will be able to do everything you are doing now.
I have to say that I found Dr Google to be very useful, but I am a qualified medical scientist and knew which web sites to ignore.
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