LBBB-Left Bundle Branch Blockage (Page 1)

The same happened to me last summer. During my regular treadmill excercise in the fitness center I suddenly felt a kind of mild pain in my chest. Diagnosis is excercise-induced lbbb, reason unknown. My echocardiogram, long-term ecg, blood test etc. do not show anything to worry about. I´m the type of slightly underweight, non-smoking, sporting heart-healthy man, aged 46, no family history of cardiac disease. I heard as many different opinions as I consulted doctors.
On the internet, I also got very different information. As a result, I developed pain and felt worse and worse. Next diagnosis was a severe depression, caused by cardiophoby. So please, don´t worry too much about your lbbb. Perhaps it may help you that we´re not alone, even if this lbbb seems to be very rare, it obviously must not come from an underlying disease that is threatening your life. I met a biker from austria, same age as us, who lives with this kind of heart-rate-dependent lbbb since 18 years without any further problems.

I'm so glad to have found a few people who can feel my pain (literally). I am only 33 years old and was just dx with LBBB. I'm healthy, work out 4 times a week, eat mostly all natural and organic foods and feel I get enough rest. Apparently, I have had this for about 2 years. I've been feeling these chest pain like pressure up against my chest. 2 yrs ago i had an EKG done and she only dx me with a heart murmur. Two days ago after my second EKG she, the dr., claims she has told me about this then. I think I would have remembered if i had a heart problem. Hello! So I saw the Cardiologist yesterday and he would like me to have a two day stress test done next week. So this means since I was 31 i have had this issue. My only daughter is 13. I don't know what to tell her about what the future holds for me. I read and sometimes cry. I'm not suppose to stress right? I don't know what to do or what not to do. I need some serious light shedding.
Help!

I am a 32 year old female who was just diagnosed with LBBB. I have a healthy lifestyle: never smoked or drank, healthy weight (5'4", 120bs) , exercise daily, generally good eating habits. I found out I had a LBBB a couple of days ago when I was doing a charity bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I ride my bike every day and trained for the event for 6 months. I never had any pain or difficulty during the training or the actual ride. In fact, I think I had an easier time on the ride than most people. The first sign that something was wrong was that I felt faint and weak as I was walking to my bike to start the third day of the 7 day event. There is a history of heart disease in my family, but many of them smoke(d) and didn't have the healthy, active lifestyle that I have. I tend to be anxious and stressed, but this has improved in recent years.

In addition to the disappointment that I feel from not finishing the charity ride, I am afraid that I will not be able to be active anymore (and gain a lot of weight), not be able to travel anymore (another passion of mine), and spend the rest of my life in and out of hospitals. I am so depressed and afraid that my life will be cut short. I am single and do not have any children, but I do have a serious boyfriend with whom I had started to make serious plans with (marriage, children, travel, etc.) and I am also mourning the possible loss of that too.

I admit that I am not handling this well emotionally. I have been crying and depressed for the past 2 days and have started to shut out my boyfriend who has done so much for me and drove 4 hours and spent the night with me in the hospital. I know that the LBBB is not my fault but I feel like it is totally out of my control. I am going to make an appointment with the cardiologist in San Francisco right away but that is all I can do.

While I am glad that there are other people in my situation, especially Lula33 who is my age, I am sad that we are all going through this. This whole situation seems so sudden and surreal. Just a few days ago, I was healthy and heroic, embarking on a serious physical endeavor that made me and those around me very proud. Now, I am afraid I am going to die very soon.

I have lived with LBBB for more than 15 years ago, in my mid-thirties. I was originally worried and frightened like the rest of you. I was diagnosed at the same time with mild aortic insufficiency. Initially I went through a broad battery of tests and now have an echo done every 1 to 2 years as long as I do not have new symptoms. My cardiologist told me to go ahead and not limit myself based on this diagnosis. I have continued to backpack, do mountain hiking, white water raft, etc.. without problem. I was even able to apply for life insurance and get it after a number of years of being considered ineligible. Take heart (no pun intended!) that this diagnosis does not necessarily mean major lifestyle changes or inevitable health deterioration. Some of us just have it and live with it sucessfully.

I just got diagnosed with lbbb. I'm 35 yo female. They did a cath, echos, every test in the book, and said my heart is healthy. They put me on cardizem. I'm concerned now about my quality of life and now increase in mortality rate. I have been very depressed. Any support would be appreciated. Thanks Jen

I'm a 46 year old male. I've smoked for 29 years, drink occasionally and am slightly overweight although I'm fairly active. I'm on Simcor for my terrible cholesterol. My EKG came back abnormal during a routine check-up. I was surprised because I've never felt any effects of this problem. I've started trying to take better care of myself and stop smoking (hard as hell). I go to my cardiologist today to find out the results of my stress test and any plan of attack (if necessary).

As most of you already know, BBB (left or right) can be caused by many things such as dental work, stress and a myriad of other things. You should also know that your heart has many, many different combinations in which your heart's pacemaker relays a signal to the different chambers of your heart to tell them to beat in order. You should not stress over this medical condition nor should you stop living your life. You stand a much better chance of being killed in a car crash than of being overly affected by BBB.

You've only got one life ... live it to its fullest every day.

Hey Folks..just my two cents worth here...I was diagnosed with RDLBBB about 2.5 years ago. I'm a 54 year old male and first experienced this problem while running track. I'm a partcipant in Masters Track & Field as well as Senior Games. I too went through all the tests, questions, and was told by my doctors to keep on trucking!...There is no cure, at least yet and I concur with Railroaders approach. Keep living life to the fullest.

I just turned 37 and was diagnosed with the LBBB two years ago. Follow on tests showed that my heart was healthy. It seems that for most of us, the condition just popped up, and as one cardiologist told me, "you don't have a problem, you're just unique". My advice, continue to enjoy what you love doing, hiking, running, biking, etc...Another important thing is to get your heart checked every few years to make sure you remain assymtematic!

I am 52 years old, diagnosed with LBBB just last week. I have high colesterol for which Iam taking lipitor, and also high blood pressure and I am type 1 diabetic. I got the whole shebang, so LBBB is just an addition to the package, it does not bother me. I will be seeing the Cardiologist very soon and let you know what they say.
By the way, I excercise daily for one and half hour with heavy weights and cardio, and lots of vigorous outdoor activities - Hunting and fishing. Should I change my lifestyle ? or wait until it becomes worst.

my mother was refer to the cardiologist because of the ECG report saying RBBB.i am little confused about RBBB what is RBBB.Is it a disease or just a temporary blockage?please help.one of the vetrain doctor told us nothing to worry about it is just a ECG machine wire bundle twist ...(machinical issue) not a heart issue.
we had a 2D ECHO and Colo Doppler study test done and it says the report is fine.
please advise.
samir

I was attacked by htn with ihd(old asw infaraction) on nov having original pain on exertion. then i advised by dr. to take medicine aten,stamlo,renitidine,ecosprin, monotrate etc. i was in regular check up last 10 years. last sunday i.e 16.08.09 i suddenly faint in the station during the visit of my doctor for 2 to 3 minutes. then doctor told me according to electrocardiogram report that it is a case of left bundle branch block. then doctor advised me to implant pacemaker. then i take another cardiologist's advice. he done my ecocardiography . report shows:
lv size normal, hk anteroreptal wall valves normal,good systolic function, mod. diastolic sysfunction ,lvef-64%
also he done holter monitor.report shows:
lbbb â¯c 1â° av block,highest rate 126,min rate 60, mean rate 87
i admit their for 1 week. now he discharge me and told me to review after 1 month or sos and wrote in discharge card that it is a case of htn old mi . he told my relative come after 1 month or again he will be faint then i will implant the pacemaker. i have no chest pain and i am in my house with full assistance of my family. i am not going outside with out any assistance and not stepping up to my double storied building. take regular food.
my hb 10 gm, i never take drinks and i am not a smoker also and i am a total vegetarian.now i take monotrate 20,clopid 75, stamlo 5, atrova20 ,alupent 10(sos), omez20.
now what is your deceision? whether it is urgent to implant a pacmeker? or any other treatment is required for me? or you another advice to take better treatment? now my age is 78+.my cholesterol,lipid profile test is satisfactory, my recent pressure is 130/80.

I may as well jump on the bandwagon here. I am 37, and in the Army full time. I have LBBB, and everything I have read has me wondering what to do about it. I have had a heart monitor on for 24 hours, and go to return it today.
The doctor said that I should be able to lead a normal life. I will also be able to stay in the army. I just don't know what to think when I read up on this stuff.

SPC Fultz-Meyer

I'm 54. On my 30th birthday I remember dancing and having to sit down because of severe chest pains. I thought, "well, that's it - I'm old." I've had chest pains over the years, been checked out several times,and found to have a healthy heart. 2 years ago in preparation for minor surgery, the ECG test showed LBBB. I don't know how long I've had it. My heart is otherwise healthy.

I've been a runner off and on for many years, but for the last 7 years I have run very regularly. Prior to my LBBB diagnosis I had run about 30 races (5K - 15K). The doctors have told me they have no reason for me to stop. In fact, during my last checkup, the cardioligist said it was nice to see such a healthy person for a change!
I've been living my normal life, and have no idea of my prognosis. However, since the diagnosis I have run 10 more races, including 2 marathons and a 25K. Haven't had any chest pains since either. Has anyone been advised against strenuous exercise?

Well, I 2 have had a LBBB for 11 yrs. now. At the time , I was a 37 yr.of female, delivering my 4th child, and in the hospital developed chest pain, SOB, and left arm pain. They thought i was in Congestive heart Failure (CHF), and found on my EKG, a complete LBBB. Being in the Medical field, this scared me to death. I thought it was a death sentence. Over the yrs, i have had 2 heart caths, 2 nuclear stress test, and many echos. They ALL are normal. But i suffer daily with left arm pain, and left sided chest pain, and sycnope spells, or dizziness. It stresses me to the max, due to a LBBB block can mask cardiac problems. But my doc assures me its not my heart, i have a bad neck, and this is where the pain comes from, and that the Cardiomyopathy and CHF from the childbirth has all cleared, but my heart will never go back to Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR), due to it converted into a LBBB, and im just stuck with it, and must accept it and deal with it. I was so glad to read all the postings here. It is a scary thing to have a LBBB, and when u r symptomatic with it, its even worse. If any one suffers with my symptoms, plese post. Thanks Guys!!!!

Hi. i have been reading all you have said, and i too have lbbb. i was told about it two years ago and told it was nothing to worry about and that it was possible i was born with it since it is inherited. i am 69 years old, and have no problems with my heart at all. i am an overweight female, who never smoked or drank, and i eat pretty healthy. my doctor poo poo's this and says it means nothing but i do take atenolol. i do not have high blood pressure...i don't know about the rest of you, but i am going to live to be 90. i don't worry about it at all. i'm more concerned with the spleen and kidney anuresyms they just found and are watching. right now they are very tiny and may never grow. i go for a 64 slice cat in jan to see if they have. once again, they tell me i may have been born with them. if so they got me this far and i will only be positive about this since when we die is not in our hands and if you think positive it will work out.

Hi everyone. I'm male 32 and recently diagnosed with LBBB. When I was 16 I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, then in my early 20's I had an enlarged heart and slight murmur. I've been taking atenol 25mg since then, the murmur all but went away and my enlarged heart has come back to a normal size. I'm definitely freaked out about the LBBB! I experienced some slight shortness of breath and chest tightness which is why I went to the ER. They ran a lot of blood work, EKG, ECHO, and stress test. They said everything came back good and attribute my LBBB to my High blood pressure/enlarged heart before I got it fixed! God I hope so! They told me to just go on as normal and not to worry. I am definitely scared!!!! I am normally a nervous person so this has just made it worse! They had spoke about doing a catherode test (sticking a needle in your heart through my wrist) They new I was really scared of this test and do to the Stress test determined that I don't need the cathorode test. Do you think I should ask to have that test done?

I'm 45, and was diagnosed with LBBB in 07. I'm a non smoker and drink very little not over weight. I was above average fittness. Due to my job ( Fire Officer) I had ecg's dating back to when I was 20 which were all normal. I had no family history and no other problems that would of caused the LBBB. I went through all the fears you guys have had. I was medically discharged from the fire Service after 26 years which was and is hard. But I feel great, I'm on meds, I have 6 monthly check ups. But I took this as a warning. I have control of the rest of my life, I have 3 children and a lovley wife. I'm going to live my life to the full, I cycle, skate, I don't run any more, (running isn't good for you) you must live yours to. I know it's difficult, but there are a lot of people a lot worse, I have had friends with cancer and have left us, others from accidents or the job. Enjoy life and enjoy you family and friends.

Please take your diagnosis of having a LBBB seriously. I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in 2001. Took meds, exercised, diet, etc. everything I was told to do. I was able to get my EF back up to 54 from 23. One night,with no warning at all, I experienced a horrendous pain in the middle of my chest, SOB, etc. My husband called the EMTs. Among other things they did an EKG. First thing they stated was that EKG showed a LBBB. After that everything seemed to happen in slow motion. They started an IV and transported me to my own hospital, with my own doctors, with my own records. Once in the ER they did blood work, checked blood pressure, poked around and did another EKG. Once again, as soon as the nurse said there was a LBBB things went into slow motion. Finally, I was finally given something for the pain. It then took 1-1/2 hours to get a chest x-ray and another 1-1/2 hours to have a chest CT done. They thought I had an embolism or pneumonia because "I was in too much pain!" Most of the time I was in the ER I was not on oxygen or a monitor of any kind. After happening been in the ER for four hours, I finally saw the doctor again -- it took a sudden cardiac arrest to get him back in the room. Fortunately my husband was with me or I would have died because I wasn't hooked up to anything and hadn't been seen by any staff for over 1-1/2 hours. I woke up in the ICU 5 days later. Encountered many setbacks and enjoyed a 12-day hospital stay. Since the LBBB is part of the "electrical" system of the heart and my heart attack was also located by the "electrical system" I sustained damage that required the installation of a CRT-D.

This entire narrative is required because if I wouldn't have had a LBBB the EMTs would have been able to read my EKG and seen the ST elevations showing an MI. If I didn't have a LBBB the ER doctor would have been able to read my EKG and see the MI and would have sent me to the cath lab within 90 minutes and I wouldn't have sustained any permanent damage. If it wouldn't have been during the night the ER doctor "might" have called a cardiologist to read my EKG. My EKG was finally read by a cardiologist at 8 a.m. -- over eight hours after I arrived at the ER.

In summary, I lived with a LBBB for over 8 years with no problems. I wish someone would have told me it can kill you!