LBBB

[SAAMIJEFF]

I have been diagnosed with lbbb. I have not yet been able to schedule a stress test.  I am a 50 year old male who runs 45-60 miles a week.  Doctor advised continuing running but concern lead me to run slower than my ability in a half marathon last week.  I have no other symtoms or issues except occasional pvc's. Given that it will be a month or more until I can schedule a test am I at risk if I keep up my running schedule including one or more races?  Can I race at age/skill maximums?

thanks.

[marcobelcastro]

Hi Saamijeff, what are the average and max BPM (heart beats) when you run? I have also lbbb and the Cardiologist told me to keep the BPM so low that I can barely run.. thanks

[starvoyager1956]

I was recently diagnosed with exersize-indiced LBBB. When I did my treadmill the EKG was all over the place 2.5 minutes into it. The doctor later did an echo, and I will have the results Friday. Before Christmas I talked to another doctor who specializes in the electrical system of the heart. She basically told me that everything about my heart looked good except the LBBB. They want to shcedule a procedure, similar to a cardio catherization, and see what the heart is doing. Basicall what she wil do is place some wire(s) into a vein(not an artery) and slide it into the heart. She will take a look into the heart and then stimulate the heart medically( as though I was on a treadmill). This will show how the electral impulses of the heart are doing. She said that she can get a truer reading of the hearts electrical system than with an EKG. All this done while I am under anestisia. I have cut out all caffeine and I am taking 400mg of Magnesium which helps reduce palpitations.
   Aside from being about 15-20 pounds overweight and drink alot of caffeine products I really dont have anything else wrong. The doctor said that if the LBBB shows the  electrical system deteriorating of malfunctioning the worse that would happen is that I would need a pacemaker. keep me intouch on your situation.

      

[SAAMIJEFF]

Anyone?

[SAAMIJEFF]

No sorry I do not.  Have decided to delay testing due to unaffordability.  Really do not think the test will tell me anything I do not already know.  Facts are clear in my case therre is little I can do besides being aware of potential trouble.  Stats are Total Cholesterol  180, Bad C- 96, Good C- 68.  Weight 178 height 6 feet. Family heart trouble history - none til over 65.  BP a little high at 138/64 but I am monitoring and hope with continued exercise and losing 5-10 more pounds will drop a little more.

I run 8-10 miles/day five days a week and 15-18 miles one day a week.  So I do treadmill testing all the time.  One other bit of info my heart rate recovery is over 30 beats in one minute after ending strenuous exercise.  This statistic seems to be a good indicator, with a value of 12 or less a danger sign.

Bottom line is I am reluctant to borrow money to take a test that will not likely change my thinking or behavior.

Additional point.  I was having a large number of occasional PVC'S the last few months, (2-3/ minute with occasional 4-6/minute), for the last few months.  I made a few changes in lifestyle and diet,       ( 1/3 drop in coffee, no soft drinks, one and only one glass of wine/ day, increased fluid and electrolyte consumption to exceed excercise loss, and added one hour to nightly sleep), and now have on average .3-.5 PVC's per minute.  This is in one week of following the changes listed above.  I do not know if it is one or more of the changes that has led to the reduction, but is is clearly a significant imprrovement.

[starvoyager1956]

HI. read your post about LBBB. Have you had anymore  information from your doctor? What was found out?  I recently was found to have LBBB and am going to an electrocardiologist for further study.