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Heart Health

What is third-degree heart block?

Heart block refers to a slowdown or blockage of the electrical signals that travel from the upper to lower chambers of the heart.

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter
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Heart block is a slowdown or blockage of the electrical signals that travel from the upper to lower chambers of the heart. People with third-degree heart block (the most serious form) nearly always need a permanent pacemaker.

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About the Author

photo of Julie Corliss

Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter

Julie Corliss has been the executive editor of the Harvard Heart Letter since 2013. She also writes for the Harvard Health Letter, Harvard Women’s Health Watch, and Harvard Men’s Health Watch, as well as for Harvard … See Full Bio
View all posts by Julie Corliss

About the Reviewer

photo of Jonathan W. Waks, MD

Jonathan W. Waks, MD, Contributor

Dr. Jonathan Waks is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the arrhythmia monitoring and ECG laboratories at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Waks’ research interests involve using novel signal … See Full Bio
View all posts by Jonathan W. Waks, MD
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