32 y old , diagnosed with second degree heart block type one (wenckebach) about 2 years ago, it was found during a random doctor visit, back then I had no symptoms. 2 years after I started having some episodes, I had to go 3x times to ER ,chest pain shortness of breath, palpitation, extremely tired... I used to lift weights I had to stop going to the gym because I lately started having chest pain shortly after starting lifting weights. I was afraid to go to the gym . I went to my cardiologist, had a 30 day H monitor that showed morbitz 1 and the slow heart rate especially at night it’s drops under 30s , my blood pressure is always low 90,100/50,60 , sometimes 40. I had echo, stress test, they said everything was ok, the only answer I had was it happens because I have an increased vegal tone (vagotonia) and it usually happens with athletes , however I’m not an athlete just a person who used to go to the gym 4,5 x / week . 2 cardiologists and they said they don’t think I need a peacemaker but The chest pain especially when under stress scares me, I’m afraid it will progress to a 3 rd degree heart block, lots of anxiety I don’t know what to do to restore my nervous system if truly that’s what’s causing it!!!!!
Please help, I would like to hear your advise. God bless
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Kaki123
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Hello Kaki123 I am sorry to hear about your recent experiences. Please do not hesitate to contact Arrhythmia Alliance Patient Services team direct (our contact details appear on this forum) if you require specific support or advice.
I have Wenckebach and have a pacemaker which solved the problem of slow rate and pauses, however I do still get symptomatic ectopics which are annoying.
Thanks bantam12 for your reply Yes I thought of a peacemaker too, but the dc here in USA didn’t make it like it was a necessity. Don’t even know if this condition is reversible :/
I too have 2:1 Second degree heart block and frequent ectopic beats, continuous in fact until I started taking Magnesium Citrate. When they noticed on a Holter that at night my heart beats were going under 40bpm they put in a pacemaker that kicks in at 40bpm and raises the bpm. Whilst awake my bpm are never less than 75 to 85 bpm.I would suggest you raise the question of a pacemaker as your bpm drop to 30. It's a 20 minute op carried out with local anaesthetic and I was chatting to the surgeon the whole time. At my last 6 monthly check up I was told it had only used up 0.02% of its battery power and it won't need replacing for 15 years.
What about chest pain? Do you ever have chest discomfort or chest pain when you have an episode
I have seen 3 cardiologists so far, all they said is it was because of a hight vegal tone and nothing is done unless I passed out ! They said They don’t think I need a PM at all !
Kaki123, all a pacemaker does is give heartbeats a boost if they fall below a certain number of beats per minute. It won't regulate the heart to end missed (ectopic) beats. In my case I have never had other symptoms: no chest pain, no dizziness, no fainting.
The only thing I would suggest worth considering is whether your chest pains are due to muscular tension: a common symptom of anxiety. Palpitations, shortness of breath and tiredness are also well-known symptoms of anxiety. Perhaps your doctors have come to the conclusion that your symptoms are due to health anxiety and this is why they don't suggest a pacemaker. This is only my supposition as a possibility and I am no doctor.
You clearly are not happy with your doctor's/cardiologists' response and suggest you seek another opinion. If you do suspect that anxiety may be a cause of your symptoms I suggest the classic self-help book "Self help with your nerves" by Doctor Claire Weekes, obtainable new or used from Amazon or Ebay.
I certainly know there is a strong link between my missed beats and heartblock and high anxiety.
I appreciate your help ! I was told My block was due to a high vegus tone/nerve but the cardiologists are not even sure ! It was just an assumption 😞
I don’t think the chest discomfort is caused by anxiety as I have never had it until i had the block, I have the same chest pain whenever my heat drops below 40’s , when the heart rate is back to normal number the chest discomfort goes away
However I will get the book you mentioned just in case , I’m sure I will learn a lot from it !!
O.k., but then you never had chest pain until you had the block. But maybe the anxiety of having the block caused the chest pain, a well known anxiety symptom.
Likewise, you have the chest pain when your heart beat goes below 40 because of the anxiety if your bpm going below 40.
Which comes first: the chicken or the egg? Or the egg or the chicken?
If you have missed heart bears (arrhythmia) I can recommend 2 200mg. Magnesium Citrate tablets a day which also have anti-anxiety properties.
That is true ! Anxiety can lower the heart rate and cause bradycardia. I just wish doctors knew more about this type of heart block, or at list they can treat it not telling the patient go home wait until you passe out then we will give you a PM. One of the doctors told me since I had the block for 2 years it’s unlikely that it will go away .. again just assumptions! Will try the magnesium citrate hopefully it will make my symptoms better :/
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Heart rate over 130 causing me to feel unwell 
Second Degree Heart Block
Chest tightness / palpitations
Experience with Verapamil for SVT?
