I have recently visited my doctor and was told after having an ECG
that I had a "blocked right branch" in my heart.

He also went on to say that I had nothing to worry about and will go
through my life without it ever effecting me.

However, he didn't really explain exactly what this is, and how it
effects my heart.

I'd like to know exactly what this is, and if I am more likely to have
heart problems in the future from certain circumstances.  For example,
if I was to take a Viagra or do a Marathon run, would I be more likely
than normal to have a heart attack than a person without this
condition?

Thanks.

Essentially the Bundle Branches control the electrical impulses that
contract and release the ventricles in your heart.  You have a left and
right
Bundle Branch and between them they synchronise the beats.  If one gets
blocked the signal takes slightly longer to reach the opposite ventricle
(in your case left) and therefore your left ventricle will contract a
fraction of a second before your right whereas without the blockage they
would contract simultaneously.

Apparently a right side blockage is fairly common, and the better one to
have too.  A right side block is far more likely to happen to a
completely healthy person than a left side block.  Both sides can be a
symptom of a
bigger problem in your heart.  This means lots of tests to check you're
okay, but in itself a blockage is not a serious problem.

Given that a right-hand blockage commonly occurs in completely healthy
individuals you theoretically shouldn't be at any extra risk with
medication and exercise.  Seeing as it's a standard medical
recommendation to consult a doctor before engaging in strenuous exercise
or taking medication it should serve as extra incentive to follow that
advice, and make sure you mention it just to make sure.

Google searched:
blocked right bundle branch heart ECG EKG

Best pages found:
http://www.tmc.edu/thi/bbblock.html
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4486
http://heartdisease.about.com/library/weekly/aa020101b.htm

All the best,
Caomhin

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Request for Answer Clarification by rocksuperstar-ga on 31 Aug 2002 14:05 PDT

When they use the term "blocked", what exactly is the branch blocked
by?  And what causes it to get blocked in the first place?

---

Clarification of Answer by caomhin-ga on 01 Sep 2002 04:14 PDT

From my understanding there's nothing actually physically blocked.
Since the Bundle Branches are part of the nervous system it's probably
better to think of them along the lines of wires than tubes.

I've actually found something on a page about various types of
arrhythmia:
http://www.tmc.edu/thi/arrhycat.html

Basically it introduces three categories of blockage (quite near the
bottom if you wish to read the original text).  

An incomplete block, also called "intraventricular conduction defect" or
IVCD, means the electrical pulse travels too slowly down the Bundle
Branch.

A hemiblock, or fascicular block, is where the signal travels normally
but a delay occurs at the actual compression of muscle.

Finally a third degree block (sorry, couldn't find any other names for
this one,) is where the Bundle Branch doesn't manage to induce a
compression at all.

Therefore a Bundle Block is more like an electrical resistor that is
either affecting the electrical pulses or maybe even stopping them all
together.  Given that when people commonly talk about a blockage in the
heart it's often something like cholesterol blocking an artery it's
actually a slightly ambiguous term in some respects.

As for the cause of the problem it seems to be more a case of luck than
anything else.  It can be a symptom of a more serious heart condition so
aggressive screening is wise, and make sure you tell the doctor about
any family history that may be relevant.    

However it does seem that it can just be "one of those things".  Like
most heart conditions there may be a genetic link, or it can just
happen.  Due to the links with other heart conditions all the major
heart dangers like fat and smoking could ultimately be responsible.
Although for a Bundle Block on it's own stress would seem most likely
out of those, if indeed it was caused by outside influences, as the
Bundle Branch is part of the nervous system.

The best advice I've come across has been to undergo aggressive
screening for other heart conditions; consider getting a random check-up
more often (and always mention the condition).  You have an adavntage
over a lot of people with Bundle Blocks in that you kow you've got it.
It shouldn't make any difference at all, but it's probably a good
reminder to do all things we should to look after our hearts that most
of us ignore.

Caomhin

Excellent work - thanks