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Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) life expectancy?
What is the life expectancy of a female aged 64 with LBBB, 35% EF and idiopathic cardiomyopathy, which means no cause can be found for the heart failure? Have there been any studies of people over 60 who are otherwise healthy who get LBBB. Mine was discovered on an EKG required for out patient surgical procedure. How many years can we expect to live on average?
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@bill0996
Hi, I am new to this group. After seeing my EKG, the Cardiologist also told me I have LeftBBB. Since you have this too, I was curious if you got any help from this group or the Mayo Clinic and what you ended up doing about this condition.
So far I had a echo test which did not show anything. Now, they want me to do Nuclear Stress test which I don’t want to do it. Your sharing of any thoughts or experiences about this LeftBBB will be appreciated.
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1 ReactionMy LBBB was diagnosed at age 59. My primary care PA initially put me on A BP med and Atorvastatin for precaution. Prior to that, I was not on any meds. I was put thru a battery of tests which included a stress EKG. I then went to a cardiologist who alters the meds somewhat. If I remember correctly, LBBB are caused by 1) heart attack and 2) uncontrolled BP. Nothing definitive was determined and I lived with the LBBB as a normal “very active” male until I had my first recognized AFib event at age 73. Thanks to my Fitbit, feeling poorly after eating out, checked my pulse and it in the 170s and would. It come down. A trip to the ER with an overnight stay brought the pulse down. Six months later and wearing a halter, I had an ablation at Vanderbilt. That went well for three years until my pulse kept getting slower and I ended up with a pacemaker (sick sinus node) to keep heart rate above 60. I tell you all of this because LBBB is an electrical issue which altered my physical activities little to none. However, I would urge you to pay attention to other electrical issues to the heart. As I am now six months away from age 80, I have been advised to train/work to a point that my HR stays at or below 120. I see my cardiologist every 6 mos and my EP once a year. We are all different. Just pay attention and see the appropriate MD.
@pintosh https://www.verywellhealth.com/left-bundle-branch-block-lbbb-1745784
@pintosh
I was diagnosed with LBBB back in 2001. For the person who first posted about life expectancy that was almost 25 years ago.
You mentioned Mayo Clinic in your post:
My Mayo EP stated that LBBB are common in cardiology. The heart (Per EP) will compensate from the block with different electrical path. This can cause, like in my case, a delay in conduction. I did not know this at time but had developed high blood pressure which in turn caused heart failure which was discovered during the 2001 medical tests and diagnosis.
My cardiologists and Mayo EP stated that most likely my LBBB was caused by a virus that got into heart and caused scar tissue. They gave me this explanation as a catheterization was done revealing no signs of cardiovascular disease. And the fact I had recently had a bad virus just prior to my diagnosis.
I was not being treated at Mayo Clinic back in 2001 but local cardilogist. My heart failure progressed and when my EF reached 30 in 2006 my local cardiologist recommended an ICD.
I went to Mayo Jacksonville for a second opinion. There I went through a thorough consultation with an Electrophysiologist. EP recommended not only an ICD but pacemaker as well. He also wanted me to see Mayo heart failure specialist at Mayo while was at Mayo. I saw the HG specialist the same day and and he also did thorough consultation recommended new medications.
I decided to change and become at patient at Mayo Jacksonville. Today almost 20 years later I am still seeing the same EP and HF specialist I saw in 2006. My EF did go down to 25 but has remained steady for the last 10 years with new medications and fine tuning of my pacemaker.
I execise 6 days a week 1-2 hours and have no exercise restrictions per my medical doctors other than at 78 do moderate level. Other than liking comfort food (and gaining weight) as I get older I just finished a 20 mile bike ride today. Tomorrow I will do a mile swim. I hope me posting that will help those who have been diagnosed with LBBB and heart failure that with applicable medications and ICD/Pacemakers life style and life expectancy can still be good.
I have had the nuclear test done. When I had it done it was sitting in chair. They used some time of drug that makes your heart pump faster. That was done my local cardilogist back in 2001. I have had several exercise stress tests at Mayo Jacksonville.
I have been a patient at Mayo Clinic since 2006. I do take additional medications now for PVCs, additional medications for my HF and gone through some fine tuning on my ICD/Pacemaker. I came to MCC because in 2023 diagnosed with prostate cancer and I am on several MCC forums.
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3 Reactions@jc76
Thank you very much for your response. I also believe I got a cold virus that affected my EKG results. I think I will wait after this cold is completely gone and get an EKG again.
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1 Reaction@jc76 Thank you so much for your detailed information.
My periodontist gave me information on seeing an electrophysiologist just yesterday.
I am concerned about starting several medications all at once. I have allergies, am
sensitive to many drugs, antibiotics and foods and am terrified to think what Jardiance
might do to me! I do not have Diabetes. I lost 35 lbs. after retirement 7 and 1/2 years ago.
I have maintained the weight I was at age 18.
Anything I can learn about medications people are taking for LBBB would be very helpful to me. With much appreciation.
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1 Reaction@amberamberette
Understand completely.
Are you having any side affects from your LBBB?
How is your pulse and regularity? A lot of times the heart will just use other routes to take over from the LBBB. I think but do not know might add to me getting tons of PVCs.
My PVCs were treated by medication not my LBBB. The medications I am on for my PVCs works and cut them about 75%.
I take Jardiance for my heart failure. My HF said they found a lot of drugs originally made for diabetes were helping those with HF. I just started taking Jaridiance today. Other than more urination (which was a side affect) nothing significant.
Has any of your doctors mentioned Magnesium? If not when you meet with electrophysiologist (EP) asked if would benefit you. I am on it per my EP for my PVCs. Not sure if would help LBBB but your EP would be the one to asked.