Question for the cardiologists ;)

So, I just finished my appointment with the cardiologist, and he gave me the all-clear—told me everything looks great, my heart is healthy, no murmurs or anything weird going on. But once I stepped out of his office, I took a look at the IBM reading he had noted down (which he said was totally fine), and I saw the diagnosis: "Right bundle branch block."
Does this actually have any long-term implications? I’ve heard through the grapevine that it isn't nearly as serious as having issues with the left bundle branch. Is it even something I should be worried about? Are there specific symptoms I should watch out for? Does anyone here know what this means? 🤷

How old are you? And what actually brought you to the cardiologist in the first place? Could be anemia, maybe a thyroid issue... blood pressure?
Get another IBM!

Just keep recording that IBM until the trace looks clean—it’s honestly the easiest way to shake those phantom artifacts caused by the right arm lead.

Kate Collins67

I’m honestly not sure why you’d respond like that. I mean, Lucas was just asking about something he missed because he hadn't finished reading the whole report yet—it's totally understandable that things aren't clear to him right now. If you actually knew the answer, maybe you could have just shared it? He never even suggested he’d be heading back to IBM multiple times. And look, if the report mentions conduction disturbances, it’s only natural to wonder what that actually entails. He isn't being dramatic; he’s just trying to understand what it means and if there's any actual danger involved.

If this is how you usually talk to your patients, then I really think there's a problem. That kind of approach doesn't help anyone. It just comes across as rude and... well, a bit insensitive, I guess.

The conduction issues are likely just an incomplete right bundle branch block, which is completely benign... he was right to tell you that everything is fine.

An incomplete right bundle branch block is often just a random finding on an IBM readout; it doesn't necessarily point to actual heart disease and usually just comes down to how the leads were placed during the test. There's also such a thing as non-specific conduction delays, which similarly don't indicate any organic heart issues.
Either way, there's really nothing to worry about

I’m siding with everyone else here—there really isn't any reason to start sweating this...

A huge thank you to everyone for all the feedback!

Kate Collins67 said:Just keep recording that IBM until the trace looks clean—it’s honestly the easiest way to shake those phantom artifacts caused by the right arm lead.

The Bolded word isn't actually mentioned in the doctor's report.

granitemoose232 said:A huge thank you to everyone for all the feedback!

The Bolded word isn't actually mentioned in the doctor's report.

So, if I’m following you correctly, he didn't actually say the IBM results were bad—he just told *you* they were. So we're talking about "imaginary issues" here? Look, an IBM machine doesn't have a medical degree.

Hey... quick question, need a short answer if possible..
Here's the deal: whenever I'm heading to bed or just lying down, I can feel my heart pounding. At one point, it was actually waking me up because the chest pain was so intense. It’s better now, but I still feel it, especially when I lie on my stomach. It feels like I just finished a heavy workout at the gym—like my pulse spiked and my heart is racing, even though the actual rhythm feels normal...
Should I be worried, or is this just stress? I'm 22.

driftingmarlin52 said:Hey... quick question, need a short answer if possible..
Here's the deal: whenever I'm heading to bed or just lying down, I can feel my heart pounding. At one point, it was actually waking me up because the chest pain was so intense. It’s better now, but I still feel it, especially when I lie on my stomach. It feels like I just finished a heavy workout at the gym—like my pulse spiked and my heart is racing, even though the actual rhythm feels normal...
Should I be worried, or is this just stress? I'm 22.

So, are you feeling intense palpitations, or is there actual pain involved?
Have you gone to see a doctor yet?

It used to be much worse. Now it’s dialed back, but I can still feel those palpitations. Went to see my GP and she ran an IBM; said there's a constant arrhythmia present. It's not just some random spasm or a temporary flutter—my heart is just beating irregularly, all the time. She sent me for blood work and thyroid tests, so now I'm just waiting on the results.

Atrial fibrillation? If you're young, it could likely be a thyroid issue...

Hey, I'll just drop this here instead of starting a whole new thread.
Don't be mad, 😁
I've been dealing with this chest pain for a while now—it’s never in the same spot, it kind of "wanders" around (reaching from under my armpit all the way to the middle of my sternum). It usually feels like a sharp sting or sometimes a burning sensation. The pain lasts about 10 seconds. I also get bouts of tachycardia. I had an IBM done when my heart rate hit around 150. The results didn't show any other abnormalities; there were no arrhythmias noted on the report, just a steady rhythm.
The pain doesn't happen during physical activity; it only hits when I'm resting—mostly when I'm sitting up or reclined. It isn't constant. Lately, though, I've been feeling my heart race quite often while resting, even though when I check it with a blood pressure monitor, it never goes above 90 bpm, which isn't too crazy...
My thyroid hormone levels came back normal, and my thyroid ultrasound was fine too.
So, what else could this be?
Thanks in advance 😁

Donna Anderson6 said:Hey, I'll just drop this here instead of starting a whole new thread.
Don't be mad, 😁
I've been dealing with this chest pain for a while now—it’s never in the same spot, it kind of "wanders" around (reaching from under my armpit all the way to the middle of my sternum). It usually feels like a sharp sting or sometimes a burning sensation. The pain lasts about 10 seconds. I also get bouts of tachycardia. I had an IBM done when my heart rate hit around 150. The results didn't show any other abnormalities; there were no arrhythmias noted on the report, just a steady rhythm.
The pain doesn't happen during physical activity; it only hits when I'm resting—mostly when I'm sitting up or reclined. It isn't constant. Lately, though, I've been feeling my heart race quite often while resting, even though when I check it with a blood pressure monitor, it never goes above 90 bpm, which isn't too crazy...
My thyroid hormone levels came back normal, and my thyroid ultrasound was fine too.
So, what else could this be?
Thanks in advance 😁

Why don't you just try checking your own pulse? Skip the blood pressure monitor. I get that feeling too sometimes—like my heart is racing like crazy—only to check it and find out I'm sitting right at a steady 70.

Donna Anderson6 said:Hey, I'll just drop this here instead of starting a whole new thread.
Don't be mad, 😁
I've been dealing with this chest pain for a while now—it’s never in the same spot, it kind of "wanders" around (reaching from under my armpit all the way to the middle of my sternum). It usually feels like a sharp sting or sometimes a burning sensation. The pain lasts about 10 seconds. I also get bouts of tachycardia. I had an IBM done when my heart rate hit around 150. The results didn't show any other abnormalities; there were no arrhythmias noted on the report, just a steady rhythm.
The pain doesn't happen during physical activity; it only hits when I'm resting—mostly when I'm sitting up or reclined. It isn't constant. Lately, though, I've been feeling my heart race quite often while resting, even though when I check it with a blood pressure monitor, it never goes above 90 bpm, which isn't too crazy...
My thyroid hormone levels came back normal, and my thyroid ultrasound was fine too.
So, what else could this be?
Thanks in advance 😁

I deal with constant chest pains too, along with shortness of breath, palpitations, and tachycardia. My IBM and echocardiogram were both okay, though they did record the tachycardia. I have some issues with my spine, and my doctor is convinced that all of this is actually stemming from my back. Maybe yours is related to your spine too?

Sam Hall15 said:Atrial fibrillation? If you're young, it could likely be a thyroid issue...

If she's young and doesn't have other heart issues, it’s unlikely to be AFib. Could be WPW syndrome instead. But honestly, most likely just a thyroid issue...

Donna Doyle said:If she's young and doesn't have other heart issues, it’s unlikely to be AFib. Could be WPW syndrome instead. But honestly, most likely just a thyroid issue...

I'll let you guys know what my thyroid labs look like. Had blood drawn yesterday, so results should be in in a few days. My mom had thyroid issues too—had surgery, but she's totally fine now. Doesn't take any meds.

Donna Anderson6 said:Hey, I'll just drop this here instead of starting a whole new thread.
Don't be mad, 😁
I've been dealing with this chest pain for a while now—it’s never in the same spot, it kind of "wanders" around (reaching from under my armpit all the way to the middle of my sternum). It usually feels like a sharp sting or sometimes a burning sensation. The pain lasts about 10 seconds. I also get bouts of tachycardia. I had an IBM done when my heart rate hit around 150. The results didn't show any other abnormalities; there were no arrhythmias noted on the report, just a steady rhythm.
The pain doesn't happen during physical activity; it only hits when I'm resting—mostly when I'm sitting up or reclined. It isn't constant. Lately, though, I've been feeling my heart race quite often while resting, even though when I check it with a blood pressure monitor, it never goes above 90 bpm, which isn't too crazy...
My thyroid hormone levels came back normal, and my thyroid ultrasound was fine too.
So, what else could this be?
Thanks in advance 😁

I’m feeling pretty much the same way... it's almost identical.
Is it just me, or does anyone else get that sudden heart flutter whenever they stand up after sitting for a while? It’s like my heart skips a beat out of nowhere. 😕
My doctor basically just told me to take it slow when getting up, and that’s pretty much the whole story.
Anyone else got some advice?

Donna Doyle said:If she's young and doesn't have other heart issues, it’s unlikely to be AFib. Could be WPW syndrome instead. But honestly, most likely just a thyroid issue...

Why's that? I've seen atrial fibrillation in young people plenty of times... WPW is much rarer than fibrillation and less likely to be the culprit here...