A right bundle branch block is serious as it puts you at an increased risk of death especially after a heart attack.
Some people with a right bundle branch block may even need a permanent pacemaker in some cases.
A right bundle branch block is a condition in which there's a delay or blockage along the pathway that electrical impulses travel to make the heart beat.
If you don't have heart disease, having right bundle branch block doesn't change your life expectancy or add to your risk level.
But having right bundle branch block can put you at a higher risk of death if you also have heart failure or a heart attack.
The risks of a right bundle branch block include.
Blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
Heart structure problems that are present at birth (congenital heart defects) — such as a hole in the wall separating the upper chambers of the heart (atrial septal defect)
Many times, bundle branch blocks don't cause any symptoms, though they sometimes lead to dizziness or fainting.
Providers usually diagnose BBB with an EKG or echocardiogram.
You may not need treatment for BBB, though you'll need to treat any underlying conditions.
If you have a right bundle branch block and you're otherwise healthy, you might not need a full medical checkup.
If you have a left bundle branch block, you will need a thorough medical exam.
Tests that can be used to diagnose a bundle branch block or its causes include: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG).
Right bundle branch blocks typically develops progressively over time and does not go away.
However, there may be cases where Right bundle branch block is temporary and goes away when doctors treat the underlying condition.
A block in the left bundle branch is usually a sign of heart disease.
Bundle branch blocks usually do not cause symptoms.
Usually no treatment is done for bundle branch blocks directly.
Your doctor may address the heart disease, if it is present.
In older people with coronary artery disease, left bundle branch block is associated with greater risk of death.
This is especially true for people with heart failure.
Left bundle branch block is also linked to a greater risk of death after a heart attack.