• 31 May 2025

The heart is an important part of our existence. It functions like a natural pump that distributes blood and oxygen throughout the body. However, sometimes, the heart’s work can be slow or uneven for various reasons. This condition is known as heart blockage.  

What is heart blockage?

Heart block occurs when the flow of blood to the heart (or one of the heart chambers) is obstructed. The most common of these would be either blockages of the blood vessels of the heart with plaque (coronary artery disease) or blockages of the electrical pathways that control the beat of the heart (heart block). This may lead to pain in the chest, shortness of breath, or fatigue, or, when it is severe, it prevents blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body, and it can bring on heart attacks and abnormal heart rhythms. It’s so crucial to be aware of the symptoms, causes, and heart blockage treatment.

 What are the symptoms of heart blockage?

These are the symptoms that demand heart blockage treatment immediately. The symptoms are:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Tiredness
• Heart palpitations
• Fatigue and weakness
• Cold sweats
• Pain in the arms, neck, jaw, or shoulders
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Feeling of anxiety
• Difficulty in doing physical activity

 What are the causes of heart blockage?

Below are the causes of heart blockage; if proper heart blockage treatment is not taken lead to severe heart conditions. The causes are

Plaque buildup: It is the most frequent cause of blockage in the heart. Here, fats and fatty substances such as cholesterol and calcium sludge accumulate on the inner lining of the coronary arteries. If not treated, it tightens or blocks the coronary arteries and diminishes blood flow to the heart.

High cholesterol level: If you have a high cholesterol level, then plaque builds up and leads to coronary artery disease.

High blood pressure: It can cause damage to the inner lining of the arteries.

Diabetics: If the person has a high sugar level, then it can damage the arteries. Also, diabetic patients may have silent symptoms.

Obesity: Being overweight and sedentary will only increase the risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. And because a lack of physical activity means poor circulation and the increased likelihood of plaque formation, this increases the risk of chest pain and heart blockages.

Other causes are

•   Stress and age
•   Family history of heart disease
•   Unhealthy diet
•   Excessive alcohol consumption.

 What are the heart blockage treatments?

As we already mentioned above, heart blockage happens when the coronary artery becomes narrow or blocked and leads to chest pain, shortness of breath, and even a heart attack. The heart blockage treatment depends on the stages of the block:

First-degree heart block (if the heart blockage is mild)

If your symptom is not severe, then the first step is to make changes in lifestyle, like following a healthy diet, doing 30 minutes of exercise, quitting the regular consumption of alcohol or smoking, reducing your weight (which further reduces diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), and managing your stress by doing meditation. Moreover, with monitoring and medicines, the mild blockage can be treated.

Second-degree heart block (if the heart blockage is moderate)

The same treatment includes lifestyle changes and medications. Moreover, pacemakers can also be suggested to regulate the heart rhythm, but this can be temporary.

 Third-degree heart block (if the heart blockage is severe)

Angioplasty: It’s the placement of the stent, which helps to open narrow and blocked arteries; moreover, it is a nonsurgical process.

Pacemakers are also part of the severe heart blockage treatment, which is used to regulate the heart rhythm.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): If you have multiple blockages, then by this surgery, a new route is created around the blocked artery. This helps blood to bypass the blockage and reach the heart.

EECP Therapy: If erosion doesn’t want the surgical process, then EECP therapy is a non-invasive procedure that helps to improve blood flow to the heart.

Final thoughts:

Heart blockage doesn’t sound great, but with the proper awareness, treatment, and lifestyle, symptoms can be managed and, in some cases, prevented. It’s more than just an organ; it’s the engine of your life. If you have chest pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath, then make an appointment with the Oplus Heart Center for heart treatment. From surgical to non-surgical procedures, they provide various treatments according to patients’ needs. Let your heart beat with strength, not struggle.