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Living with Progressive familial heart block type II

An inherited heart condition that tends to cause a slow heartbeat and can lead to fainting or seizures.

Understanding Progressive familial heart block type II

Progressive familial heart block type II is a genetic condition that affects the heart's rhythm.

It tends to cause a slow heart rate (bradycardia) and a specific type of heart block. This can lead to fainting or seizures called Stokes-Adams attacks. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD describes these features:

  • Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
  • A specific type of heart block
  • Fainting (syncopal episodes)
  • Seizures (Stokes-Adams attacks)

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
What can be done to prevent fainting or Stokes-Adams seizures?
Should my relatives have heart rhythm testing?
Which heart specialists should I see?

Quick facts

InheritanceAutosomal Dominant

GARD says it is autosomal dominant, meaning a person only needs to inherit one copy of the gene variant from a parent. It doesn't name a gene here.

Also known as: pfhb2; progressive familial heart block, type ii

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Progressive familial heart block type IIGARD ID 4879 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Progressive familial heart block type II.

Explore the Progressive familial heart block type II blog

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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