The right branch lock consists of a modification of the normal electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern, specifically in the QRS segment, which extends slightly and lasts more than 120 ms. This means that the electrical signal of the heart has difficulty crossing the right branch of the heart, causing a contraction of the right ventricle a little later.
In most cases, right branch blockage is not severe and is even relatively common, not an immediate sign of heart disease, although it can also occur due to changes in the heart, such as a heart muscle infection or a clot. in the lungs.
- Once your doctor identifies this blockage in a routine ECG.
- A history and symptoms assessment is usually performed to determine if any type of treatment is necessary.
- However.
- It may be advisable to have frequent appointments with your cardiologist to keep the change under surveillance.
In many people, right branch blockage does not cause symptoms, and therefore the change is usually only identified during routine exams.
However, some people may have symptoms related to blockage, such as
While some of these symptoms are relatively common, if they occur very often they can indicate a heart problem and therefore, even if they are not a right branch blockage sign, they should be evaluated by a cardiologist.
Look for other symptoms that may indicate heart problems.
In some cases, there is no specific cause for the onset of right heart block, appearing as a normal change in cardiac conduction.
However, when caused by a specific cause, the blockage usually comes from:
Thus, although it is almost always a benign change, it is important to perform other tests, such as chest x-rays or echocardiography, to ensure that there is no problem that causes the blockage, which requires more specific treatment.
In most cases, right branch blockage causes no symptoms and is therefore common not to require treatment. In these cases, the person can lead a completely normal life without increasing the risk of heart disease and without diminishing the quality of life.
However, if there are symptoms or if the blockage is caused by a specific cause, your cardiologist may recommend treatment with:
In addition, if the person has very frequent fainting, the doctor may also assess whether there is a left branch blockage and, in such cases, recommend permanent use of pacemakers or cardiac resynchronization therapy, similar to the use of pacemakers. , but has a third cable that is connected directly to the left ventricle, coordinating the heart rate of the two ventricles.