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Replies to "Yes, I discovered on my latest echos, that First Degree AV block was one of the..."
Hi @edda,
I found a great resource for information on first degree AV block, which you may wish to read; I hope it will provide some reassurance for you. I've copied a few points for your convenience:
– First degree AV block, defined as a prolonged PR interval, (conduction of impulses between the atria and the ventricles), is not a true block, but is rather delayed or slowed AV conduction. Patients who have a slow resting heart rate, (highly conditioned endurance athletes), may have it, simply due to increased vagal tone and a lower resting heart rate.
– Other reasons could be or as a result of medications that slow AV node conduction (eg, beta blockers, digoxin).
– Clinical presentation of first degree AV block is almost universally benign, and only very rarely are symptoms felt to be directly related to first degree AV block.
Usually patients with first degree AV block do not require any specific therapy. Very rarely, a person who has first degree AV block AND symptoms of loss of atrioventricular synchrony known as "pacemaker syndrome," may be potential candidate for a pacemaker. A pacemaker may also be considered for patients with concurrent neuromuscular disease.
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/heart-block-in-adults-the-basics?source=see_link
Hi Edda,
One can get scared reading about symptoms, side effects and diagnoses on the Internet. Remember to use the internet as a tool to help you, not to overwhelm you. It is important to evaluate information that you get from websites and from forums like Connect. Here's a good article from NIH about "Finding and evaluating health information online" https://nccih.nih.gov/health/webresources
OldKarl shared his diagnosis to illustrate how important it is to be a partner in your care. Ask questions. It was good that you reviewed your test results so that you can talk about them with your doctor.
Amyloidosis (OldKarl's diagnosis) is extremely rare. You can read about it here on the Mayo Clinic website: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amyloidosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353178 There is at least one risk factor that you do NOT have. You're not a man. Nearly 70 percent of people with AL amyloidosis are men. If after reading the information, you're still worried about having amyloidosis, talk to your doctor.
You mentioned that you do not tolerate many drugs. This is not uncommon. You might ask your doctor about Pharmacogenomic (PGx) Profiling. PGx is the study of how your genes may affect your body’s response to, and interaction with, some prescription or over-the-counter medications. http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/center-for-individualized-medicine/pgx-profile-service.asp
Lastly Edda, thanks for letting us know that some of the info was making you feel nervous. I hope that this information has put things into perspective for you and that you feel better equipped to do your research, write down your questions and talk to your doctors. Together with your doctors, you have the history and medical information that is specific to you. Make sense?