Hi again, sorry for yet another thread. Hope it’s allowed.
I’ve been back to A&E again tonight experiencing mild chest symptoms. I almost didn’t go because it wasn’t as bad as last time and I thought I was just being paranoid.
ECG showed same abnormal changes as last time and the doctor told me I have a left bundle branch block. She tried really hard to get me to stay in overnight but I have no one to care for my dog so I couldn’t.
Anyway, can anyone shed some light on this condition? How serious is it? Google tells me that in young people (I’m 33) it’s pretty rare and usually a sign of another serious heart condition. Heart failure was suggested to me in my first A&E visit and I can’t help but feel that’s the likely cause. The doctor this time was reluctant to give me an idea what might be causing this left bundle block but I got the impression she had a good idea but didn’t want to scare me. She really pushed for me to stay in even though my BP, heart rate, chest x ray, and bloods all came back fine. She stressed to me that “you realise your heart could stop at any time” which is pretty worrying.
So yeah, looking for advice, opinions, experiences etc.
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Bex-88
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Hi Bex-88, I was diagnosed about 8 years ago with RBBB (Right Bundle Branch Block). It was discovered via a routine ECG I had, as I had suffered breathlessness and tight chest but not any pain. They said I could have been born with the condition or it could have just happened, but there was no need for medication, where-as, if it had been a Left BBB it would be more serious. It's never been mentioned since. I think telling you your heart could stop at any time was unnecessary. I think that applies to anyone. Please see your GP.
Hello,Sorry to hear about the diagnosis. It sounds to me that you need some urgent treatment but noone here can say for sure as we are not doctors. Is there no-one you can get to look after your dog for a while? In hospital they would be able to get a consultant to look at your case and see what treatment might be needed. My sister recently exprienced total heart block (more serious than your condition) and was kept in and fitted with a pacemaker; she is now recovering. I hope you get things sorted soon.
Unfortunately I don’t have anyone who can take care of my dog. My mum is physically disabled, my other nearest family live in wales and we’re not close. I don’t have any close friends and I don’t know my neighbours well enough to ask/trust them.
If you were to have a heart attack, your dog would have to be cared for somewhere. Eiher make plans with a kennels or contact the Cinnamon Trust who can often help for short periods. It really is essential you make arrangements for your dog. Talk to your vets.
Hello I was diagnosed with LBBB in 2015 it was discovered during an ECG which printed it out along with the peaks and troughs. It actually printed suspect LBBB but it hasn't been mentioned since !!!! So I think they have to do more testing than just an ECG to be definite. As for your Heart could stop at anytime, really refers to all of us what did the discharge letter to your GP say ?? that seems to be the starting point for anything further.
It's to do with how the electric signal origination from your sinus node in the heart travels throughout to the left atrium and ventricle. This can cause arrryhmias and palpitations because atria and ventricles might go out of sync. I would suggest you get to your GP and get referred to a cardiologist for more in depth tests to assess how serious it is.
My GP picked up that I'd got a LBBB when he gave me an ECG as part of my Healthy Heart annual review.I had no symptoms and I felt fine.
He sent the ECG through to the cardiology department at Scarborough hospital who asked me to attend straight away, they also said that I couldn't drive there....the panic set in!!
At Scarborough they did an ECG, explained what a LBBB was, they told me not to worry about it as it gave them no cause for concern.
That was about 8 years ago.
Whenever I've had an ECG since then I tell them that I've got a LBBB, they always reply that it's obvious that I have from looking at the ECG.
I was told exactly the same thing. The way it was put to me at the hospital was your heart rhythm is a bit slow than usual but it catches up eventually and not to be concerned
Hi... I think it depends on your age and other heart conditions. I have a young relative with LBBB and his condition is monitored annually. I have an older friend who was taken into hospital straightaway on diagnosis and fitted with a pacemaker. I think his relatively high blood pressure was the deciding factor. What was clear was that they were not going to let him out of the hospital until the pacemaker was fitted!Two things. Check advice from your GP as soon as possible, and don't rely on what we are saying here. Check with your local vet about doggie fostering possibilities. There may be someone who can volunteer to look after your dog temporarily. Good luck.
I have LBBB, mine was found due to suffering breathlessness, I had a pacemaker fitted.With regards to your dog, it may be worth contacting the cinnamon trust ( you don't really meet their guidelines, but, they may be able to point you in the right direction)
Hi Bex-88,Sorry about your diagnosis - you must be very worried. I'm afraid I have to be blunt with you - LBBB is potentially fatal. You could have a cardiac arrest at any time. I would urge you to see a cardiologist ASAP and see if you need any treatment (usually a pacemaker, I think). I have a pacemaker for Type 2 AV block and it has changed my life for the better.
I don’t mind you being blunt, I prefer that. No point not being told the reality of the situation. My biggest fear is that it’s a sign of something more serious, like heart failure. From what I’ve read on Dr Google (I know…) LBBB in young people is rare and typically a sign of a more serious underlying condition.
I’ve been referred to the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic and my appointment is on the 11th of this month so only 10 days to go. Hopefully I’ll live until then… 😅
I am so glad that I could participate in this discussion of left bundle branch block ( LBBB). In 1993 when I was a very young man I passed out and remain unconscious for few minutes. Was referred to cardiologist who did all the basic tests and they were normal. However he made a monumental mistake of ignoring LBBB. That was a warning sign of ischaemic heart attack which was validated by another cardiologist few years later. Had he not ignored that , I would not suffered a complete heart block and required a permanent pace maker. Now I am waiting for some more test including dye angiogram to ensure or exclude coronary artery block. What a shame. Please do not trivialise this LBBB. It is just warning sign that you may sustain a heart attack in future.
I noticed on your profile you say you are 85, this means you would have been 56 in 1993. Coronary heart disease is something that becomes more common as we age.
There are a variety of causes of LBBB, coronary artery disease is just one.
Your priority is your dog, I get that, but being seen by a cardiologist might just ensure your dog has you to care for them for the rest of their life. If I were in this position my priorities now would be to speak to my gp and ask my vet for help, Good luck
I’ve spoken to my vet and they were useless. No suggestions whatsoever. She said she wasn’t allowed to recommend anyone/anywhere due to liability.
I’ve got my rapid access chest pain clinic appointment on the 11th so I’m waiting for that. My GP would only be able to refer me on anyway. If I get pains again I’ll go back to A&E but I literally have no one who can look after him. I can’t just leave him without food, water, walks etc for who knows how many days. Unfortunately, not everyone has family or friends they can rely on. I’ve checked out local Kennels and they could possibly help at short notice during the day if I could drop him off, but they’ve said they don’t have 24 hour availability so if anything happens during the night I’ve no options. I don’t know what else I can try.
In 1989 my husband spent some time in Russia where he caught a nasty flu. When he returned he went to the Doctor and it was discovered he had developed a left bundle branch block. The doctor told him is was caused by the virus. He was 32 years at the time and has lived with the Lbb since then, he is now 64 and in good heart health other than mild hyper tension which is controlled with a low dose medicine. Try not to worry, trust the doctors will take good care of you.
Interesting. I had a really nasty virus for a week before I went to A&E for the first time. I was just recovering when I had my heart symptoms. I was convinced it was covid but three negative lateral flows and a negative pcr forced me to accept it wasn’t but I’m still not convinced. I wonder if it was caused by whatever virus I had…
I was diagnosed with LBBB in 2006 when I had a DVT and pulmonary embolism after a 4hr flight. I was told to carry a copy of my ECG in case I was involved in an accident as any ECG taken in casualty might make them think I had had a heart attack. Since then I've had 3 surgeries not related to the heart and the anaesthetists all told me it wasn't a problem. My GP doesn't consider it a serious heart condition. I found that cutting out caffeine reduced the level and occurence of palpatations
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