First Degree Heart Block

[Cocoloco11]

Hello, I’m 30 and have recently been told I have a first degree heart block. A holter has seen my heart rate drop to 30. I’m worried as I don’t feel the doctors are taking it seriously enough and are being really dismissive. I’m very active but now I’m scared to run at all. Anyone had a similar diagnosis at this age? I feel really isolated right now and anyone I try talk to looks more worried than me! Which isn’t helping my anxiety levels

[devonian186]

That is a very young age. Perhaps you are being too accepting and due to your age the medics think they can brush you off?

You need to be more assertive-in a polite manner. At the least you need to have a medical plan of action in place which might be anything from changing your life style to medication and you need clear guidelines as to what you can and can't do.

[Cocoloco11 in reply to devonian186]

Hmm I don’t think that’s it. I’ve been at the doctors and have to force cardiology to even look at me through A&E visits and basically forcing their hand. But I think regardless, they’re still dismissing me because I run and it’s an easy get out for them. One doctor told me they have a policy. So I’m guessing because I’m 30 I don’t fit the policy to be taken seriously

[dg2024]

Yes. I got diagnosed with it at early 30s. It is generally a benign condition. It can be genetic or environmental. It is not a serious condition. You wont notice you have it. The doctors as always are right. Apart from monitoring there is normally no treatment needed. Relax. Get on with your life and follow their advice.

[Cocoloco11 in reply to dg2024]

Thanks for your reply. I do try to relax and sometimes I feel fine but then if I get any chest pain, which I do often, I’m spiralling again!

[Cosyloft]

hi

I had heart block In 2014 the paramedics drove me to hospital I was given a pace maker which is set at 80 bpm in 2015 had a replacement Aortic valve I am now on Calcium channel blockers Bisaporol made me very tied in afternoons now feel good maybe you should go to the hospital when your heart is at 30 to get emergency treatment.

Hope this helps all the best.

[Silvertail]

I have a first degree heart block as well as a Left Bundle Branch Block. They don't seem to worry about it - just get me back in a year for another echo.

[Cocoloco11 in reply to Silvertail]

Okay this is reassuring. Do you have any symptoms at all?

[Silvertail in reply to Cocoloco11]

Not really. My cardiomyopathy is stable on my medication and I only have chest pain and breathlessness (from microvascular disease) if I walk too far or too fast.

[Scotsman53]

The medics tend to pay more attention to actual symptoms than numbers. How do you physically feel when the HR drops and how often does that happen?

[Cocoloco11 in reply to Scotsman53]

I think the HR lowering to 30 is when I’m sleeping. Although it does dip into the 30’s whilst I’m awake. As low as 35 at times. I feel tired with it as well as dizzy sometimes

[Scotsman53 in reply to Cocoloco11]

I got my PM after my HB suddenly worsened so I couldn't walk more than a quarter of a mile without stopping to catch my breath.

[Alixia]

do you have a family history of heart issues?

[alicebear]

you need to ask your doctors to get a second opinion maybe from another doctor’s

[dg2024]

By the way. Many athletes can get av block 1 after having done high intensity training and sport for many years. It can form as a natural adaptation. It means the PR interval is greater than 200ms. Just ensure you have no other associated conditions.By the way. I'm an afib, ventricular tachycardia, heart blood clot and myocarditis survivor. So av block 1 is nothing in comparison. That is the least of my troubles!

[Cocoloco11 in reply to dg2024]

Oh I see! I’ve been interval training for around 9 months but I guess that isn’t many years.. I’m trying to gauge whether my anxiety is getting the better of me or not. I have health anxiety anyway so learning this I immediately jumped to the worst case scenario and speaking to people about anything to do with the heart who have no prior knowledge, they freak out which worries me more! Thanks for your reassurance. Hope you’re doing okay!

[dg2024 in reply to Cocoloco11]

I'm not a medical professional so do always check with a doctor.

[JHutton1994]

My sister's (27) got this. She was told it was pretty much a non issue. Her HR doesn't go down to 30 during the day though. That is an issue. Next time that happens seek prompt medical attention.

[Cocoloco11 in reply to JHutton1994]

Thanks for this. I don’t actually know when my HR is dropping to 30 as the cardiologist hasn’t spoken to me directly. I just received a letter saying my HR drops to 30-40. Not helpful!

[nextadventure in reply to Cocoloco11]

The cardiologist hasn't spoken to you following this??! Then you need to request an appointment with the cardiologist. My concerns for you are the very low heart rate (at times) and that you mentioned chest pain. You need the cardiologist to speak with you directly to explain what is going on with you and specifically reassure you or tell you any next steps. (If you are exceptionally fit, the very low heart rate may be normal.) Best wishes