86-year-old Mr. Phat is battling a severe issue with his heart, which is almost completely blocked by atherosclerotic plaque in his right coronary artery. This condition has caused arrhythmia, with his heart rate fluctuating between very low and very high levels. On May 7th, Dr. II Huynh Ngoc Long, the Director of the Vascular Intervention Center at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, revealed that Mr. Phat had a myocardial infarction and an atrioventricular block that caused chest pain due to the narrowing of the right coronary artery.
To address this blockage, the medical team decided to perform a procedure involving a Rotablator diamond drill to smooth the atherosclerotic plaque and then place a stent in the narrowed vessel. After the intervention, Mr. Phat’s artery was dilated optimally without any blockages causing myocardial ischemia. His chest pain subsided, and his heart rate stabilized at 55-60 beats per minute. He continues to be monitored and treated to control the atrioventricular block and avoid complications.
Atrioventricular (AV) block is one of the most common causes of heart failure symptoms such as shortness of breath, weakness, and fatigue. AV block can occur due to several factors such as fibrosis, degeneration of conduction pathways, or myocardial ischemia caused by blockages in coronary arteries supplying blood flow to the heart muscle. The treatment options for AV block depend on its severity; observation may be sufficient for mild cases while medication or temporary/permanent pacemaker implantation may be necessary for more severe cases.
Factors that increase the risk of AV block include age, hypertension, diabetes, inactivity, obesity, smoking, and other underlying health conditions such as chronic kidney disease or thyroid problems. Therefore it’s crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables; engaging in regular physical activity; getting enough sleep; reducing stress levels; limiting alcohol consumption; avoiding smoking; and following up with regular medical checkups to detect any potential issues early on.
In conclusion Mr Phat’s case highlights how important it is to seek prompt medical intervention when experiencing chest pain or other symptoms associated with cardiac issues like AV block . A holistic approach that includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle can go a long way towards preventing complications associated with these conditions .