A right bundle branch block (RBBB) refers to a total or partial blockage of the right branch of the heart’s conduction system. Many people have had RBBB for years without knowing it. However, an RBBB that develops after a heart attack in a previously normal heart is a matter of concern.
In people with a structurally normal heart, RBBB is not a concern since they won’t experience any symptoms, which means treatment is not required for many cases. However, people who simultaneously experience other heart or lung conditions may need to treat these underlying conditions.
In some cases, RBBB could be a warning sign for some severe heart conditions, such as:
- Myocarditis (infection of the heart muscle by bacteria or viruses)
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Congenital heart defects
- Lenègre disease or Lev disease (acquired complete heart block)
- Cardiomyopathy (diseases of heart muscle)
- Cor pulmonale (right-sided heart failure)
- Pseudo right bundle branch block (inherited arrhythmia syndromes)
Besides the above, other conditions that an RBBB may indicate include:
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the leg)
- Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lung arteries)
- Hyperkalemia (high potassium level)
- Right heart catheterizations and ethanol ablation
- Chronic lung disease
- Interventional or surgical procedures on the heart
What is the right bundle branch block?
Right bundle branch block refers to the heart’s inability to conduct electric signals. It is usually harmless unless accompanied by severe heart disease.
The heart’s conduction system
The heart has four chambers:
- Two upper, called atria
- Two lower, called ventricles
In a healthy heart, the electrical signal originates in the sinoatrial node (SA node). The SA node is present in the upper right chamber of the heart. The signal then travels through the left atrium to the ventricles.
Two groups of fibers called the right bundle branch and left bundle branch aids the transfer of signal from the atria to the ventricles. The right bundle branch sends the signal to the right ventricle of the heart.
When there is a block in the right bundle branch, the signals fail to reach the ventricles through the usual pathway. On the contrary, the signal must pass through the left side before entering the right ventricles. As a result, the ventricle takes some time to contract, causing the heart to eject less blood.
Some of the risk factors that can increase the chance of getting the right bundle branch block include:
- Age
- Underlying heart or lung problem
- An interventional heart procedure
What are the complications of the right bundle branch block?
Right bundle branch block (RBBB) blocks the electrical signaling of the heart, so signaling problems can gradually lead to:
- Slower heart rate
- Fainting
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Altering the electrical activity of hearts
- Shortness of breath
Because RBBB may alter the electrical activity of the heart, it may create obstacles to identify other heart diseases, such as heart attacks. It could cause a delay in the appropriate management of the condition. A further intervention, such as sonography, may be advised.
SLIDESHOW
Heart Disease: Causes of a Heart Attack See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Texas Heart Institute. Bundle Branch Block. https://www.texasheart.org/heart-health/heart-information-center/topics/bundle-branch-block/
Cleveland Clinic. Bundle Branch Block. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16815-bundle-branch-block
Top How Serious Is a Right Bundle Branch Block Related Articles
Heart Healthy Diet: 25 Foods You Should Eat
What foods are heart healthy? Learn what foods help protect your cardiovascular system from heart attack, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Plus, find easy meal recipes and menu ideas for more everyday heart benefit.
Angina: Signs, Symptoms, and What It Feels Like
Angina is chest pain due to inadequate blood supply to the heart. Angina symptoms may include chest tightness, burning, squeezing, and aching. Coronary artery disease is the main cause of angina but there are other causes. Angina is diagnosed by taking the patient's medical history and performing tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), blood test, stress test, echocardiogram, cardiac CT scan, and heart catheterization. Treatment of angina usually includes lifestyle modification, medication, and sometimes, surgery. The risk of angina can be reduced by following a heart healthy lifestyle.
Heart CT Scan
EBCT (also referred to as a calcium-score screening heart scan). This test is used to detect calcium deposits found in atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries of heart disease patients. The more coronary calcium means more coronary atherosclerosis, which can raise the risk of future cardiovascular problems.
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): Early Warning Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
A heart attack occurs when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. Learn about warning signs, causes, complications, risk factors, and treatment.
Heart Attack Symptoms and Early Warning Signs
Recognizing heart attack symptoms and signs can help save your life or that of someone you love. Some heart attack symptoms, including left arm pain and chest pain, are well known but other, more nonspecific symptoms may be associated with a heart attack. Nausea, vomiting, malaise, indigestion, sweating, shortness of breath, and fatigue may signal a heart attack. Heart attack symptoms and signs in women may differ from those in men.
Heart Attack Treatment
A heart attack involves damage or death of part of the heart muscle due to a blood clot. The aim of heart attack treatment is to prevent or stop this damage to the heart muscle. Heart attack treatments included medications, procedures, and surgeries to protect the heart muscle against injury.
Heart Disease: Causes of a Heart Attack
Heart disease prevention includes controlling risk factors like diet, exercise, and stress. Heart disease symptoms in women may differ from men. Use a heart disease risk calculator to determine your heart attack risk.
Heart Health: What Is a Healthy and Normal Heart Rate for My Age?
Learn normal heart rates by age, for young adults, seniors, and others. What's a good resting heart rate for your age? What is your target and maximum heart rate for men and women by age group? Learn these and more here.
Illustrations of the Heart
The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. See a picture of the Heart and learn more about the health topic.
How Long Can You Live With Heart Valve Disease?
The heart has two upper (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). There are certain structures, called valves, present in the heart to regulate the flow of blood into, within, and out of the heart. These valves are flaps present at specific junctions in the heart.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Heart Attack?
While it takes most people about 6-8 months to recover after a heart attack, overall recovery time depends on your general health, how severe the attack was, the type of treatment you received and when you received it.
How Serious Is a Heart Catheterization?
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure that is considered to be safe for most patients. The procedure helps doctors find and fix any heart problems. It is a low-risk procedure and complications are usually rare, but as with any procedure, complications may arise.
Cardiac Arrest Quiz
Take the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Quiz. Learning about this potentially deadly condition may save a life.
What Are the Symptoms of a Heart Attack in Women?
Many women think that the typical signs of a heart attack like crushing chest pain and shortness of breath can be easily recognized and cannot be missed. The 4 silent signs of a heart attack are fatigue, chest pain, pain in the upper back, shoulder, arms, neck or jaw, and sleep disturbances.
What Is a Good Resting Heart Rate by Age and Gender?
Normal resting heart rate (RHR) values can range from anywhere between 60-100 beats per minute (bpm). As cardiovascular fitness increases, the resting heart rate value decreases. Resting heart rate is the number of beats per minute the heart takes while a person is fully rested.
Heart Health: What to Know About Your Heart Rate
Understanding your heart rate and what's healthy for you is an important part of taking care of yourself. Get the facts about heart rates.