Hi...I was diagnosed with this after the EKG I had at the internist's office showed this abnormality. I have to go for a Thallium Stress Test next week....anyone else have this too?

I have this - and I've had the thallium stress test also. I don't have any treatment or have to do anything special for my bundle branch block, but I know someone else who has this and her doctor put her on meds.

The thallium stress test was disconcerting and a bit scary, I don't like ever being injected with any kind of radiation, but it all worked out ok.

Best of luck to you!

I had the thallium stress test done back in '99 due to chest pain that turned out to be upper GI distress. The only real part of the test that annoyed me was the fact that it took so long (for me it was 3 hours from start to finish) and I do NOT like to stay still - so the 'resting heart' part was a bit irritating. All in all, however, it wasn't bad at all. Like MaryO said, it was kind of unnerving having the stuff injected in me for the testing, but it was totally painless - (with the exception of the part where I went to the bathroom and knocked the heparin lock out of my hand when I closed the door! ) But that was my OWN stupidity and carelessness! After they had to put it in the second time you betchya boots I was VERY careful where that hand went!

This is a test that I think EVERYONE should have at one time or another - to make sure the heart is in good condition. I was absolutely fascinated looking at the pictures of my heart when it was over. I never realized how amazing nuclear imaging is.

Hello,
I have just been told I have bundle branch block, but it's on the left side. I think this is not as good as having it on the right side, and am very worried. The cardiologist said not to worry though, and I am to have a stress test and echo. Anyone else any experience of this. I also have high bp.
Thanks
Alfreda

I have a right bundle branch block. I don't have to do anything about it but to be aware that it's there. At the time I was diagnosed with that, I also had high blood pressure.

My choir director has a left bundle branch block and she takes meds for that. Every once in a while her heart beat gets out of rhythm and she has to take it easy for a while.

Thanks for your reply MaryO,
I suppose it is better to be aware of having this, than not.
And doesn't illness make one look at life more philosophically (sp?)?
I hope you are keeping well, I know you have been through some tough times yourself in the not too distant past. Thank you for replying to me.
Alfreda

To Mary O and Alfreda - Please forgive this LOOOONG post but was so relieved to share with someone who has or knows someone who has a left bundle branch block. I am 41 years old and was diagnosed at 38 with this. I was originally told in the 80's that I had Mitral Valve Prolapse which has since been negated with various echos and other tests. I have been on many Holter Monitors, 30 day event monitors and Atenolol, a beta-blocker over the past 10 years or so. Only found the LBBB in 2004 with the 30 day event monitor. I go to an electrophysiologist who diagnosed me. I was then hospitalized in 8/2005 with PVCs and chest pain. Drs. decided to give me a Nuclear Stress Test with Persantine medication which was unremarkable but then my EP wanted a Stress Echo at his office downstate IL. He wasn't at all concerned with the treadmill exercise for this test even though he knew I have a LBBB. The stress echo showed what ended up being a 'false positive' for ischemia to the back of my heart. Ended up with an angiogram/cardiac cath in 10/2005 which showed I have a structurally normal heart with very clean arteries. Then in 3/2006 I began having many more PVCs/skipped beats than I've ever had and they have persisted to this day. Always more around my period. However, now I am having PVCs with bigeminy (two beats...pause...two beats...pause) as my rhythm since the day my last period started (coincidence?). My EP still claims these are not from the LBBB. Sorry for this long post...but I wanted to reassure you that yes, doctors keep a closer eye on you with LBBB over RBBB, but you can and will live a normal life. I had to have another Holter Monitor and am awaiting the results. He may up my dose of beta blocker or...who knows? It is uncomfortable and anxiety producing, but I do have Ativan to take when needed (which seems to be alot lately) but still have the same bottle from a year ago.

Mary O...I was wondering what meds your choir director is on. My heart rhythm goes nasty every so often (now is one of those times) and I too need to 'take it easy for awhile'. Wondered if you could give me some info on her meds.

Thank you to all on Power-Surge for sharing. I hope my sharing has helped. I have been reading this forum for several years. May God bless you all as we struggle through this trial in our lives. Thank you for your patience in reading this long post.

I'll ask her, JC - I think she may have told me when I was first diagnosed but that was a couple (3?, 4?) years ago and I don't remember anymore.

Best of luck to you!

jcinme, and MaryO,
Thank you so much for replying to me. I am really grateful to hear any news about this subject, as to tell the truth it has me worried a bit... I am going for the stress test and echo next week, and will keep you posted. It is a real comfort to hear from others who have experience of this. I have many questions for the cardiologist, I am going to make a long list, as queries keep floating in and out of my head. I am scared of the stress test in case I am not able for it, but I did have one a few years ago, (which was clear) so I know it is not too difficult a test. I am scared the echo will show something up though, but one just has to keep hopeful I suppose.
Thank you jcinme for your kind words of encouragement to me, and thanks MaryO too.
Alfreda