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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Worried about Right Bundle Branch Block/Deaths in family
Answered by
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Worried about Right Bundle Branch Block/Deaths in family
by KM__0, Mar 16, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Dr.:
I am a 27 year old white female who was diagnosed with Complete Right Bundle Branch Block when I was 13. My mother also has it. However, her sister (at age 10) and her brother (at age 48) both died after having the same condition which lead to AV dissociation. Pacemakers were required for both of them. My mom's sister had one in place at age 2, and her brother at age 17. However they still passed away. At the present time, both my mother and I feel fine. I experience minor dizzy spells on either a weekly or sometimes just monthly basis. But other than that I feel fine. But naturally I am very concerned for my future as well as for my future children.
I would like to know - just how worried should I be? Even though I can see a cardiologist and monitor everything - could my condition change rapidly and lead to AV dissociation? Can people with Complete Right Bundle Branch Block live full lives? Should I be avoiding caffeine, drugs like Pseudophed, or alcohol? Also, will I most likely pass this condition on to my children?
Thank you so very much for your time and attention given to my questions. Words can't express my gratitude.
- Kim
I am a 27 year old white female who was diagnosed with Complete Right Bundle Branch Block when I was 13. My mother also has it. However, her sister (at age 10) and her brother (at age 48) both died after having the same condition which lead to AV dissociation. Pacemakers were required for both of them. My mom's sister had one in place at age 2, and her brother at age 17. However they still passed away. At the present time, both my mother and I feel fine. I experience minor dizzy spells on either a weekly or sometimes just monthly basis. But other than that I feel fine. But naturally I am very concerned for my future as well as for my future children.
I would like to know - just how worried should I be? Even though I can see a cardiologist and monitor everything - could my condition change rapidly and lead to AV dissociation? Can people with Complete Right Bundle Branch Block live full lives? Should I be avoiding caffeine, drugs like Pseudophed, or alcohol? Also, will I most likely pass this condition on to my children?
Thank you so very much for your time and attention given to my questions. Words can't express my gratitude.
- Kim
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, MD, Mar 16, 1999 12:00AM
, Mar 16, 1999 12:00AM_
Dear Kim,
Thank you for your question. Has anyone made a diagnosis besides right bundle branch block (RBBB) in you or any family members? There are some rare hereditary ECG disorders but RBBB is not typically passed genetically. In general those with RBBB may be at slightly increased risk of having a cardiac event or requiring pacing but it is not significantly higher than the general population. I would continue to have close follow-up with your cardiologist.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
