The evaluation of someone with a second degree heart block begins with a medical history and physical examination.

The physical exam in someone with second degree heart block may be normal.

Physical findings in someone with second degree heart block may include:

• A slow heart beat
• An irregular heart beat
• Low blood pressure

Testing is required to make the diagnosis of second degree heart block.

Tests that may be used to evaluate second degree heart block include:

• Electrocardiogram or EKG:
• This test that can show the heart rhythm, rate, and signs of heart attack.
• EKG machine
• Normal EKG tracing
• EKG with second degree heart block
• Echocardiogram:
• Uses sound waves to form images of the inside of the heart.
• Holter monitor:
• Portable cardiac monitor that measures the heart's rate and rhythm over a 24-hours or longer
• Kidney profile
• Cardiac enzymes:
• Detect damage to heart muscle
• Chest x-ray:
• May show an enlarged heart or lung disease
• Normal chest x-ray
• Enlarged heart on chest x-ray
• Thallium heart scan
• Cardiac stress test:
• An ECG is performed before, during, and after a prolonged period exercise on a treadmill.
• Cardiac catheterization:
• Dye is introduced into the coronary arteries, and the blood flow is observed on x-ray.
• Intracardiac electrophysiologic studies (EPS):
• The heart is stimulated with tiny electrical currents in order to find the cause of an arrhythmia.