Right Bundle Branch Block and Mitral Valve Regurgiation. Anyone Help??? - Heart Disorders Message Board

Pez Dee Spencer · 03-24-2005, 01:01 PM

Im a 28 year old male that was diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation (MVR) last year after a stress test and an ECG. At that time there was no holter monitor done.
The doctor said that I had slight MVR and as long as I took care of myself I would be ok. My cholesterol was kind of high then and he said to cut back on fatty foods, (it was 208). I weigh about 275 pounds but Im pretty solid from years of construction work although a 40 pound weight loss would be ideal....
I smoked and drank like a train until last year when I quit drinking and six months ago I quit smoking cigs after a hardcore 15 year habit. I still smoke marijuana daily but I am quitting that too very soon.
A year ago when I initally went to the cardio I was having (and still am) having palpitations daily. I also get a generally "fluttery" feeling in my chest and throat that can last for hours and even all day some days.
The cardio was a forigen guy and seemed rushed and only stayed in the room long enough to tell me what was wrong before I could even get my thoughts in order he was gone. I have no insurance (still dont) so I couldnt really complain. He just said as long as I take care of myself I will be ok. I didnt even have a chance to really ask about the palps and just hoped they would go away.
well a year later and Im still having them so I went to another clinic in aonother city and they did a 24 hour monitor. today they got the results and the nurse on the phone only said it was right bundle branch block (RBBB)which i read can be good or bad depending on what is causing the RBBB. It can occur in healthy people but can also be the result of heart defects such as my MVR.
This new clinic is going to compare my holter results with my previous ECG and stress results and I have an appointment monday. Needless to say I am really even more scared than ever now and was hoping someone could shed some light on this or if anyone else has been diagnosed with this or anything.
Thanks tons.

started04 · 03-25-2005, 12:17 PM

With RBBB the electrical circuit is blocked or partially blocked in the right ventricle of the heart. Usually there is a development of a bypass and in the meantime the RV may not be in sync with the left ventricle. A blocked branch bundle can be due to heart muscle damage. That would be the worst case scenario.

I have moderate/severe MVR and that or a silent MI caused heart enlargement in compensation to meet circulatory demand. There is muscle damage on the left ventricle, but medication has brought the heart back to a more normal size and the MVR may improve.

A mild MVR may not need treatment, but a test to verify there is no progression may be warranted on a periodic basis.

Pez Dee Spencer · 03-26-2005, 06:00 PM

Less than 48 hours till I go to the doctor. I hope they dont tell me something bad. Even if they dont all I can think about is the fact that I know something IS wrong and at 28 years old I feel like might not even see 40. This is ruining my life and I am on the edge of an emotional breakdown.
Lately my worry has turned into more anger than anything. I am angry that this **** has to happen to me and I cant live a normal life because the thoughts of dying are CONSTANTLY on my mind. In the past year or year and a half since Ive had this going on I would say that not counting sleeping I dont go for more than an hour without thinking about dying in some way. and during a bout of palps you better LOOK OUT cause thats ALL I think about.
I dont know how much longer I can go on like this. I dont have medical insurance so its not like I can just cruise into a doctors office anytime I want. I have to go to a free clinic and be put on a list and on and on.
A part of me just wants to give up and not care about dying anymore I just want to say "whatever happens happens. If I drop dead F%&K it. who cares." Im not a deeply religious person but sometimes its easier to just say "its in God's hands. anything that happens is His will."
I dont know I hope that my life can improve after I see the doctor monday. If they want me to take 100 pills a day I will if I can just live a normal life again.
I also worry about them having to operate and the fact that I have no money or insurance for it. I feel like they arent going to tell me the whole truth or try to do all they can for me because I dont have insurance or money.
I pray for relief from this soon. Wish me luck monday.

suz9601 · 06-02-2005, 03:41 PM

Pez DEE

Are you still around? Just wondered what your docs figured out about your RBBB? I too am young (27 ) and found out i have this..What did your docs say? I am worried. Thanks so much.