Intermittent LBBB

We reported to Munson at 8 a.m. for what was supposed to be a three hour cardiolite stress test for Dick. In actuality, we didn't leave the hospital until 4 and one half hours later at 12:30! His doctor prescribed the test just as a precaution before sending Dick to physical therapy for conditioning. As it turned out, Dick never performed the treadmill part of the test because he flunked his EKG.

He had the nurse write down what was wrong with his EKG because he knew that I would ask a million questions. What they noticed was an Intermittent Left Bundle Branch Block (electrical pathway). He either has blown a fuse or he has a short circuit. (Just kidding.)


They continued the stress test minus the treadmill by using Persantine, which stresses the heart without exercise. So they were able to get the before and after pictures of his heart. We should get a report from Dr. Lambert sometime this week.

We ate lunch at the Omelette Shoppe.

More than you want to know about LBBB (see link above):

BBB occurs when one of the bundle branches becomes diseased or damaged, and stops conducting electrical impulses; that is, a bundle branch becomes “blocked.” The chief effect of a bundle branch block is to disrupt the normal, coordinated and simultaneous distribution of the electrical signal to the two ventricles.

In contrast, LBBB usually indicates underlying cardiac pathology. It is seen in dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, aortic valve disease, coronary artery disease, and a variety of other cardiac conditions. While occasionally LBBB occurs in apparently healthy people, its appearance should trigger a thorough search (as opposed to a simple screening) for underlying cardiac problems.

It sounds to me as though Dick may be in for a series of tests to prove that he's healthy. I firmly believe that he's in good health, strong, and full of stamina. He will turn out to be one of those healthy people, especially because his block is intermittent. (Dr. Nancy)