Prolonged PR Interval: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments

The PR interval is the time it takes for the electrical signal to travel from the atria (top chambers of your heart) to the ventricles (bottom chambers of your heart). When this interval is prolonged, it can indicate that there is a problem with your heart. This article will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatments for prolonged PR interval.

Causes: A prolonged PR interval can be caused by a variety of conditions, including heart block (a problem with the electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles), first-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) (when the electrical movement from your atrium is slowed down), and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). Other causes include certain medications, electrolyte imbalances, or congenital abnormalities.

Symptoms: Although some people may not experience any symptoms, others may have palpitations (abnormal heartbeats or skipped beats); feeling faint; shortness of breath; or chest pain.

Treatments: Depending on the underlying cause, prolonged PR interval may be treated by medications, such as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers; an implanted pacemaker; or other treatments. Surgery may be necessary if a congenital abnormality causes the condition.

We hope this information has been helpful to you.