HEART BLOCK Meaning and
Definition
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Heart block refers to a medical condition characterized by an abnormality in the electrical conduction system of the heart, resulting in a disruption or delay in the transmission of electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles. This condition is typically indicative of a problem within the heart's natural pacemaker, the sinoatrial (SA) node, or the pathway that the electrical impulses follow, known as the atrioventricular (AV) node.
Heart block can occur at different levels of severity, categorized into three main degrees. First-degree heart block represents a minor slowing of the electrical signals' conduction, but all signals successfully pass through to the ventricles. Second-degree heart block displays intermittent or partial failure in the transmission of electrical impulses, leading to occasional missed ventricular contractions. Third-degree (complete) heart block represents a complete blockage, where no electrical impulses reach the ventricles from the atria, causing a loss of coordination between the atria and ventricles. In such cases, the ventricles produce their own electrical signals, resulting in a slower and irregular heart rate.
Heart block can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired due to factors like age-related degeneration, heart disease, myocardial infarction (heart attack), medication side effects, or certain infections. The condition may be asymptomatic in mild cases, but severe forms can lead to dizziness, fainting, chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and potentially life-threatening complications like complete heart failure. Treatment options vary depending on the severity and underlying cause of heart block, ranging from close monitoring to medications, pacemakers, or corrective surgery.
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A condition in which the ventricu; lar systole does not always follow the auricular-every other beat may be lost, or every third, or the failure of the ventricular contraction may be irregular; it is due to inability of the auriculo-ventricular bundle of His to transmit the systolic impulse regularly.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HEART BLOCK
- geart block
- beart block
- neart block
- jeart block
- ueart block
- yeart block
- hwart block
- hsart block
- hdart block
- hrart block
- h4art block
- h3art block
- hezrt block
- hesrt block
- hewrt block
- heqrt block
- heaet block
- headt block
- heaft block
Etymology of HEART BLOCK
The word "heart block" derives from the combination of two terms: "heart" and "block".
1. Heart: The word "heart" dates back to Old English, where it was spelled "heorte". It can be traced further back to Proto-Germanic "hertan", which eventually originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "kerd-", meaning "heart". The term refers to the organ in the chest that pumps blood through the circulatory system.
2. Block: The word "block" comes from Middle English "blok" or "blocke", which initially denoted a log or a chunk of wood. It stems from Old French "bloc", meaning "log" or "dried plank", and possibly from Frankish or Old Germanic origin. Over time, the meaning of "block" expanded to include various solid or obstruction-like structures.
Similar spelling words for HEART BLOCK
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