Heart Rate Monitors and RBBB

[Canros]

My first post so if it is inappropriate or just plain stupid please be kind.

I am in my sisties and now have an annual ECG for my medical. My last ECG produced an intermittent RBBB(Right Bundle Branch Block). After further examinations I was given an unrestricted medical.

Now the question. I exercise with a heart rate monitor for 5 x 1 hours each week. Most readers will be aware of possible problems caused by induced currents in electrical equipments operated close to each other. I am wondering if it is possible that the electrical emissions from the chest strap which operate the watch part of my monitor could affect or damage the sensitive receptors in the heart.

If this effect is a possibility, and not just the thoughts of a deranged mind, then does anyone know if any studies have been done?

Just a thought but grateful for any input.

Canros

[scanscanscan]

Any question that worries you concerning your heart should be answered by a senior hospital consultant.
Why not simply go to your hospital and ask and if required pay for a proffesional consultation.
If you live in Norfolk Uk I can recommend a very experianced heart consultant.

[Left Wing]

I am 36 have the same RBBB, got a Class1 medical no restictions I do sports and weight lift 4 times a week.

most of these devices work on infra red simliar to the TV remote control and have no affect to the human body.

[HotDog]

I am 72, at age 50 my ECGs showed a RBB hemi block which after a few years turned into a full blown right bundle branch block. I retired from flying at age 65 with a 1st class medical.

[Canros]

Many thanks for the responses. This is not something that is worrying me - I was just inquisitive after being reminded by my RBBB that the heart has some electrical components.:)

[anotherthing]

Canros -

I have a RBBB - I have done numerous marathons and cycling races - I train with a heart rate monitor all the time.

I have had my heart investigated 3 times by different specialists (they never accept the previous findings, they all have to do an initial investigation to satisfy the new licence!)- First for Mil flying, then Mil diving, then a civil class 1. I asked at the time and there are no real problems regarding a RBBB.

Carry on exercising as you are - you are doing more good than harm :ok:

[HotDog]

The following article is from HeartCetreOnline:


Risk factors and causes of BBB
Sometimes, bundle branch block (BBB) develops for no known reason. Other times, it may be due to a variety of causes, such as:

Degenerative effects of aging


High blood pressure (hypertension)


Past heart attack that damaged the heart muscle


Past viral infection


Valvular heart disease, particularly calcific aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve due to hardened calcium deposits)


One of several heart or lung conditions that may have affected the ventricles (e.g., heart failure, especially right-sided heart failure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)


Congenital condition (present since birth)


Past injury to the chest
The prevalence and severity of BBB increases with age. In younger patients, BBB frequently exists with no symptoms or underlying heart disease. Among older patients, BBB is more likely to exist concurrently with underlying heart disease, and the long-term outlook for these patients is worse than for similar heart patients without BBB. Among younger patients with BBB, physicians often look for other cardiac conditions, such as coronary heart disease and cardiomyopathy, that may be in the early developing stages.

Signs and symptoms of BBB
Bundle branch block (BBB) rarely produces any signs or symptoms when the heart is otherwise healthy. However, it may produce fainting (syncope) or near-fainting (presyacope) in some people. These symptoms increase the likelihood that the condition will need treatment in the form of a permanent pacemaker.