What is a heart block?

A heart block is characterized by a delay or complete blockage in the electrical conduction system of the heart. This system is essential for coordinating the heart’s contractions and ensuring that electrical impulses travel efficiently from the atria to the ventricles. In a healthy heart, these impulses direct the heart to beat regularly and effectively.

When there is a heart block, it can affect the timing of these impulses, leading to slow, incomplete, or even absent transmission of electrical signals. This disruption can result in a slower heart rate, irregular heart rhythms, and potentially serious symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or syncope.

The other options describe conditions that do not accurately define a heart block. For instance, a rapid heartbeat with no evident cause refers to tachycardia, while restricted blood flow to the heart points towards ischemic heart disease. A minor irregularity in heart contractions does not encompass the greater implications and seriousness of conduction disturbances that characterize a heart block. Understanding the significance of electrical conduction in the heart helps to appreciate the potential complications and management strategies associated with heart block disorders.