Left bundle branch block

[Howdenhall]

I have been diagnosed with Left Bundle Branch Block, and wondered whether anyone has had this happen to them, and how you are managing to deal with it. I am very frightened at the moment, but am hoping to have some reassurance when seeing the doctor tomorrow. It all started a fortnight ago when I was suffering from intermittent fluttering in my chest with a missed beat. This happened a couple of times a day, but lt seems to be happening quite a few times now, in a day. I haven’t heard of this condition, and wonder what to expect.

[PinkKizzie]

Hi Howdenhall, I was diagnosed 3 years ago with LBBB and LV (left ventricle) impairment and an EF (ejection fraction) of 25%. A pacemaker implant was unsuccessful so I take a lot of different meds and I see my cardiac nurse every six months. I feel well but sometimes get tired and breathless and get palpitations. I'm not too sure what LBBB is, I'm sure the consultant would have explained it, but I got such a shock being told I was in the severe category for heart failure that I couldn't really listen. I do hope your appointment goes well, an update would be most welcome. Take care.

[Howdenhall in reply to PinkKizzie]

Thank you so much for replying - will let you know how I get on.

[PinkKizzie in reply to Howdenhall]

👍

[PinkKizzie in reply to Howdenhall]

Hi Howdenhall, how did you get on at the doctors today?

[Howdenhall in reply to PinkKizzie]

She is arranging some tests for me, so hope not to have to wait too long. Haven’t had too bad a day, but still have palpitations and missed beats. Thank you for asking - I do appreciate it as you don’t feel quite so alone.

[PinkKizzie in reply to Howdenhall]

Pleased all went well, palpatations are not very nice. Try not to worry too much. I always think a problem shared is a problem halved, and this forum is very helpful, you know you are never alone on here. Take care.

[Howdenhall in reply to PinkKizzie]

That is so true - think I shall sleep better tonight. Heart rate last night was in the 80s but gradually relaxed and got off to sleep. Worrying can take over however hard you try not to, but as you say, having this forum to share it with, really does help. The organisers do a brilliant job, for which we are all so grateful

[Silvertail]

I have had LBBB since 2012 about the time of my first takotsubo cardiomyopathy episode. It was discovered when I was booked to have a stress test. It doesn't cause me any trouble, and doctors just seem to mention it on reports. Some people can have it with no cardiac problems, others need a pacemaker if they have problems with fainting. You will need to have tests to find out if you have any underlying heart problems. Your doctor will be able to reassure you.

[Howdenhall in reply to Silvertail]

Thank you for sharing this with me - looking back on it, I have probably had it for sometime but didn’t take any notice. However it is going to be investigated now, so should know better in time

[Scotsman53]

LBBB was found during a routine pre-op ECG in 2017. I had no symptoms then or for the next several years but eventually developed heart block and now take a couple of meds and have a pacemaker. Life is fine! 😄

[Howdenhall in reply to Scotsman53]

Thank you for replying - it always helps to share

[Silvermedal]

LBBB was found when I started with angina symptoms. I'd had a routine pre-op ECG several years before and when this was looked at, it showed the LBBB had been present then. The LBBB is not considered to be of any significance in my case.

[Howdenhall in reply to Silvermedal]

Thank you for saying - I am beginning to show symptoms so is going to be investigated further.

[Aspeinuser]

Hi, as I understand it, LBBB is when the electrical impulses traveling to the left ventricle of the heart are delayed, causing it to contract later than the right ventricle. It can be seen it healthy people but could be a result of other things like high blood pressure or heart failure. Heart failure means that the heart muscle is slightly weaker and not necessarily failing completely. They measure the hearts ejection fraction (EF) to decide if treatment is required. An EF of 50-55% or more is normal, under this is a reduced EF. I was diagnosed with LBBB and an EF of around 45-47% which with symptoms is considered a mild heart failure with reduced EF. Once my blood pressure was under control, I have hardly any symptoms and the outlook is currently very good and my Cardiologist said this might not worsen. In a lot of cases LBBB is an incidental finding and doesn't require any treatment and is not linked to heart failure. Try not to worry too much until they have done more tests. If you do have high blood pressure or heart failure, both can often be treated successfully.

I sent myself bonkers worrying in the early days, and it just made the symptoms worse.

Hope you get on ok.

Best wishes.

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to Aspeinuser]

Thank you for your explanation. You have explained a couple of things that I have seen in other posts and not understood, it's very helpful.

[Aspeinuser in reply to Ilovedogs12]

Your welcome ☺️

[Howdenhall in reply to Ilovedogs12]

Me too!

[Howdenhall in reply to Aspeinuser]

Thank you so much for sharing all this with me. It really has helped me begin to understand what is being talked about. Luckily I don’t have very high blood pressure, so just must be patient and work through the tests etc. I agree really worrying doesn’t help at all - in fact makes it worse. Thank you and best wishes too.

[Aspeinuser in reply to Howdenhall]

Wishing you all the best 😊

[Howdenhall in reply to Aspeinuser]

And to you too.

[Survivor1952]

I’ve had 2xPCI, AVR and CABG. My EF is now 63% at the last measurement, that is considered normal. However I have LBB which was mentioned at my post op echo. It has had no effect on my life at all since I was told 18 months ago when I was discharged by my surgeon. I don’t even know about it. I exercise twice weekly including a 5k run. I’m 72.

[Howdenhall in reply to Survivor1952]

Thank you for describing what you have had done. When I have it investigated in due course, I hope to better understand what is happening. I can still do everything as before, but now notice the symptoms which I hadn’t taken any notice of before. It doesn’t seem to restrict me at the moment.

[Survivor1952 in reply to Howdenhall]

Oddly my LBB was only mentioned in passing, I am on medication still, I believe the beta-blocker will be primarily to help the LBB although that hasn't been said to me, and I accept that taking drugs is probably not going to change much if at all. I consider myself to be asymptomatic.

My surgeon told me to live a normal life, that is what I am doing apart from, on medical advice, going scuba diving which I used to enjoy. I still enjoy my motorsport. The only thing I do notice is that, very occasionally, I can feel very tired but that clears in 24 hours or so, it isn't regular hence my saying asymptomatic.

We eat a primarily Mediterranean diet and watch cheese and alcohol consumption closely now. We were careful with sugar and salt long before I was diagnosed.

I should have said that prior to my procedures my EF was down at 30%, I was breathless on any exertion but no chest pain at all. I couldn't even walk to the local shop 500 metres away without having to stop halfway to rest, as I said before I can now run 5000 metres (5km) without problems.

[Howdenhall in reply to Survivor1952]

That’s really good to hear. I don’t mind going on medication if that’s what’s needed. I have been very lucky in life, as I only take Lamotrigine for epilepsy, when I had a couple of fits one night 14 years ago. This has kept me fine. Hoping similarly with this, I hope. But thank you again for sharing your experiences, and am certainly thinking about your advice on diet, exercise and general lifestyle.

[mumsandra]

I was diagnosed with Right Bundle Branch Block approx 12 years ago. I was told that had it been LeftBBB, I would have had to take medication etc, but RightBBB was considered to be no risk and just forget about it.

[Howdenhall in reply to mumsandra]

What a relief for you

[Manderson27]

Yes, mine was diagnosed during a routine health check when I mentioned I had "flutters" ECG showed LBBB long story short, after 7 day holtor monitor, Echo Cardiogram and an MRI it was found that I had no other underlying heart problems and so no meds prescribed and an open appointment to come back if I get any other symptoms. So far so good. I hardly think about it now. I have noticed that coffee can make the "flutters" worse so limit my intake to one cup or two cups a day. Otherwise I just get on with life and don't worry about it. I think I have had this for decades as have always had palpitations just thought it was normal for me.

[Howdenhall in reply to Manderson27]

Thank you so much for replying. You have helped me no end to read this. My experience of symptoms sound very much like yours, and perhaps if I am lucky the outcome might be similar. It would be wonderful if it was, but just must be patient and careful in the meantime.

[polenta]

I had LBBB when 1st diagnosed with dialated cardiomyopathy and was in CHF and advised by my HF specialist and EP to have a CRT-D inplant to correct it. Had the inplant 10 years ago and the LBBB [left bundle branch block] is still gone today and my heart has mostly recovered.

[Howdenhall in reply to polenta]

Thank you for sharing, and so glad that it has all worked out well for you.

[FestivalVibes]

Hi … I was diagnosed with LBBB six years ago, had lots of tests, but at the time my heart was in good health apart from the LBBB. I’m now awaiting a Cardiac MRI as a recent Echo showed some damage to my left ventricle (not necessarily as a result of the LBBB).

My number one bit of advice is; stay away from Dr Google!! LBBB can (and it’s not a certainty) be caused by an underlying heart condition. Also, because LBBB is an electrical fault, it will kick out the results of an ECG and an Echocardiogram, hence the MRI.

My EF is 46% now, but was normal six years ago. I guess what I’m saying is that the LBBB on its own is not a cause for concern, but you may need further tests to confirm there’s nothing underlying going on.

I have had very few symptoms over the years, but do get out of breath with any cardio exercise. My best advice is a healthy diet; a Mediterranean diet, fresh, unprocessed food etc. Be careful with your weight, sugar intake, and cholesterol levels. I guess I should say be careful with alcohol, but that’s not a bit of advice I follow! 😉

LBBB is not a major problem on its own and should you have any underlying problems, hearts are fairly robust and most things can be fixed with surgery and medication. It’s scary to find out your heart is not working as expected (I was terrified!) but reach out on this forum and avoid the scare stories online!

Take care of you, sending lots of best wishes, and do feel free to ask me any questions; I’ve gleaned quite a bit of information on LBBB over the years! x

[Howdenhall in reply to FestivalVibes]

Thank you so much for replying. You are absolutely right about Dr. Google and it can be quite scary. I must admit I have been doing so, but there is so much you can’t understand. Thank you also for your advice about lifestyle - I think we live fairly simply, but have been recently advised that being prediabetic, must address our sugar intake. This forum has been so supportive, and feel so lucky to have discovered it. Thank you, and best wishes.