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Diagnosed With LBBB Via Stress Test. Had Chest Pain. Irregular Heartbeat. Am Anemic. Tested Ejection Fraction. What Does It Indicate?
I was diagnosed with LBBB via exercise stress test after developing severe chest pain and irregular heartbeat just doing ADLs. I also developed severe anemia with a ferritin of 2.4. I started iron supplementation therapy, which brought my ferritin up to 16 after 3 months, and I also take Imdur 30 mg daily for the LBBB, which has helped me be able to do ADLs without chest pain. The problem is that I still have severe fatigue making it extremely difficult to get through each day. I can exercise a little but sometimes do experience minor chest pain in spite of being on Imdur. The fatigue is every day even though I get adequate and restful sleep. I did have a calcium scoring test for the LBBB which was 0. My ejection fraction is 65%. My cardiologist was of little help. My internist helped with the iron supplementation, but this level of fatigue is unbearable. An important point is that until I developed LBBB, I was a completely energetic athlete who ran marathons and lifted weights and could work up to 60 hours a week. I developed the LBBB in 11/2011 and have had this fatigue ever since then. I am 53 right now. Can you shed any more light on LBBB, anemia and how I can overcome this fatigue?
Fri, 8 Nov 2013
Hi, I have gone through your query and understand your concerns.
When you have the LBBB of patterns on the EKG, usually a physical exam is adequate to determine whether you have an abnormality of the heart or not. It is necessary to obtain an echocardiogram to look at the cardiac structures.
You should check whether your LBBB is associated with: Coronary artery disease (CAD), Heart failure (HF), especially congestive heart failure (CHF), thickened, stiffened or weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) and High blood pressure (hypertension). Also the a bundle branch block, which are similar whether the blockage is on the right or left side of your heart, may develop some complications, such as slow heart rate (bradycardia, may need to have a pacemaker), arrhythmia or cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death. In general, people who have a heart attack and develop a bundle branch block have a higher chance of complications and death than do people who have heart attacks and don't develop a bundle branch block.
According to your conditions, you should see your cardiologist to rule out above heart diseases even your ejection fraction is 65% (normal range 55–70%). If you are associated with the diseases, you should obtain this type of treatment, which includes the following types of medications, thin your blood, slow your heart down, so that less demand matches limited blood supply, relax (dilate) your arteries so that more blood can pass through a wider pathway, lower your blood pressure so that the heart has to work less, modify your cholesterol to control the build-up of plaque (blockage), It also includes lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise and weight loss, smoking).
Now you are on Imdur treatment. You should know Imdur oral precautions, for example, anemia, low blood pressure, loss of too much body water (dehydration), and other heart problems. Because this drug may make you dizzy (do not drive). Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication, especially dizziness and lightheadedness, which could increase the risk of falls.
Once you are under correct direction and medicines, you will overcome your fatigue.
Wish you good health.
When you have the LBBB of patterns on the EKG, usually a physical exam is adequate to determine whether you have an abnormality of the heart or not. It is necessary to obtain an echocardiogram to look at the cardiac structures.
You should check whether your LBBB is associated with: Coronary artery disease (CAD), Heart failure (HF), especially congestive heart failure (CHF), thickened, stiffened or weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) and High blood pressure (hypertension). Also the a bundle branch block, which are similar whether the blockage is on the right or left side of your heart, may develop some complications, such as slow heart rate (bradycardia, may need to have a pacemaker), arrhythmia or cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death. In general, people who have a heart attack and develop a bundle branch block have a higher chance of complications and death than do people who have heart attacks and don't develop a bundle branch block.
According to your conditions, you should see your cardiologist to rule out above heart diseases even your ejection fraction is 65% (normal range 55–70%). If you are associated with the diseases, you should obtain this type of treatment, which includes the following types of medications, thin your blood, slow your heart down, so that less demand matches limited blood supply, relax (dilate) your arteries so that more blood can pass through a wider pathway, lower your blood pressure so that the heart has to work less, modify your cholesterol to control the build-up of plaque (blockage), It also includes lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise and weight loss, smoking).
Now you are on Imdur treatment. You should know Imdur oral precautions, for example, anemia, low blood pressure, loss of too much body water (dehydration), and other heart problems. Because this drug may make you dizzy (do not drive). Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication, especially dizziness and lightheadedness, which could increase the risk of falls.
Once you are under correct direction and medicines, you will overcome your fatigue.
Wish you good health.
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