LBBB and CHF

Pathgal, sorry about your diagnosis.. And sorry I have no experience with this.
I'm curious, how did this come about? No plaque, you exercise, always healthy, then just BOOM?
Did they say what caused it? Hereditary? Other?

What I can say, is that modern medical technology is amazing today, and I'm guessing you've got every chance at getting back to a normal,life after treatment,

During the last two years, I have had major stress in my life with taking care of an ill/demented mom (and I am her only living relative in town) and just had a takeover at work so stress there too. Seven weeks ago, noticed SOB while walking our dogs, our normal route of 5 miles a day. Thought it was my environmental allergies/asthma. Went into my physician, prescribed inhalers (normal for me during allergy season), two weeks later still feeling SOB, went back in to the doc. Well, at that point in time there was no wheezing but definite SOB, EKG done (my first one ever, because I have never needed one), which showed LBBB. Admission to hospital, confirmation of congestive heart failure and EF of 19%. Current medications have not brought up the EF as hoped. I swear no chest pain, ever! Just SOB, and I've always worked out on the treadmill (which I continue to do now, though just walking but 7 miles a day). Since the hospitalization I've found a great team of doctors, I've had stress test (which was induced; no treadmill), cardiac cath, echos, etc. All tests confirm LBBB with congestive heart failure. Doctors are stunned how I continue to go and feel okay. They think maybe I've had this for a while and due to the stress in my life it has gotten worse, plus I've learned how to go forward and no feel the tiredness I should feel. My cardiologist said I probably will be amazed at how GOOD I will feel once I get the ICD implanted. I'm lucky, no diabetes, no hypertension, no kidney disease, liver disease, nothing..... Finger crossed for the ICD. But still scared! Not ready to leave this earth yet, been married 41 years and I have two grandbabies on the way this year!!

Thanks, The HAPPY TURTLE...... waiting in the worst! May 10th will be a GOOD day for me!

I am 48 yo female, wife, mother of an 11 and 13 yo. I am generally active and healthy. No family history of heart problems.

Nov 2007 - Put on Effexor/venlafaxine for generalized depression. Didn't like the way it made me feel so went off of it in March 2008 .

April 2008 - Diagnosed with LBBB when I had gone to see a cardiologist because my heart was having "hard" heartbeats mostly when at rest (not activity). I was told to go about my life as normal as all tests showed normal(my EF of 60-65%).

Dec 2013 - Diagnosed with a heart murmer that was noticed by my OBGYN. All tests showed normal with the exception of my EF number was at 50% down from 65%. I was told to go about my life, everything is fine.

Oct 2014 - I was diagnosed at being high risk for breast cancer (no breast cancer history in family). I was put on Tamoxifen (estrogen blocker) which caused major hot flashes as I was put into medically induced menopausal state.

Jan 2015 - Oncologist put me on Effexor/Venlafaxine AGAIN as its shown to reduce hot flashes. i had not been feeling well (bloating, severe sweating, night sweats, swollen, achy joints but thought it was menopausal symptoms as did all of my dr.s

July 2016 - after going off of Effexor, 1 week later I go into ER with shortness of breath, profuse sweating, swelling in fingers and legs. Out of the blue, diagnosed with CHF with an EF of 22%.

Not sure what the heck happened from 2008 to 2016 but am in shock by all this. Dr.'s ran angiogram and my arteries are excellent, no blockages, and I have low blood pressure (100/66). Dr's don't know what caused this. They have me on cardiac exercise therapy, beta blockers, lasix and low sodium diet and we are in holding pattern until they do a 2nd echocardiogram to determine if my Ef #'s have gone up in the next 2 months. It's been talked about getting pace maker or defibrilator put in if meds and time don't get my EF #'s up.

I mention the Effexor in my notes above because I came across an article where it stated that LBBB could be a side effect of taking Effexor and I was wondering if anybody else might be on or have been on this medication.

Wanted to know how people are doing past, present and future with the same issues of LBBB, Effexor and CHF.

Thanks for your input.