New and nervous

LBBB

by TAC - 2022-03-05 11:17:46

It can be very frustrating to find out that after doing everything right to prevent a heart problem, you end up having one.  LBBB is not a deadly find. In young, active people may even go unnoticed. Many times it doesn't require treatment. Sometimes it only happens after extrenous exercise. It's unlikely that you will automatically get a pacemaker because of LBBB. Wait until your cardiologist completes the evaluation. A PM will become necessary only if in addition to LBBB, you have other significant structural abnormalities in your heart, which is unlikely at your age and life style. "Don't cross the bridges before you come to them".

diagnoses

by Tracey_E - 2022-03-05 11:45:57

As you're discovering, electrical problems happen at random. Eating right and taking care of ourselves prevents plumbing problems, not electrical. Nothing we did caused it, nothing we could have done differently would have prevented it.

Think of the pacer as an insurance policy. If passing out was caused by a heart pause, the pacer can prevent that. Once you heal, there isno reason to think you won't heal and get right back to doing everything you do now, but you won't be passing out. 

Since you are on the young side and active, I would ask about placement. The easiest place to put it is just under the collarbone, just under the skin but they can go a little deeper which makes it more comfortable for working out and less conspicuous if you are small/thin. 

what can expect?

by AgentX86 - 2022-03-05 12:04:57

Assuming the stress test comes out OK (and it most likely will) a perfectly normal life. The pacemaker won't slow you down at all.

Thanks

by Starnes611 - 2022-03-07 10:34:34

Thank you all.  I read horror stories online and never know what to make of my new situation.  It really helps to hear reasonable people who have been through this explain what is really going on.  

You Hopefully Won't Notice It

by MinimeJer05 - 2022-03-07 17:26:04

Hello,

I don't want to say welcome to the club until you find out that you for sure need a PM, but if so, don't worry about it!

Most have returned to normal physical activites and lifestyles pretty quickly. Some of us have lingering issues that are sometimes related/unrelated, but the PM itself is likely going to be barely noticeable.

If anything, it will prevent you from fainting when working out and otherwise allow you to continue those workouts after you have healed (which doesn't take long).

I would try to spin this around and look at it as a blessing in disguise. As others have said, it will simply be an insurance policy to make sure your hearty is beating the way it should -- otherwise, it will hopefully just be back to normal living for you.

Don't fear it if it happens, just embrance and accept it and learn that you'll be OKAY in the end.

If not, we are always here to chat and offer advice and encouragement.

Take care and try to take some breathes before your upcoming appts.

Jer

Updated

by Starnes611 - 2022-03-16 11:19:46

Got my stress test done.  EF of 51.  Everything else normal.

Got my eco done.  Looks like bicuspid aortic stenosis.  Waiting on cardiologist appointment but I read that I will probably get a new valve and a pacemaker.  Frustrating.

Any thoughts on how a new valve will affect things?  Recovery etc.  It just keeps rolling in...