Can anxiety cause Right Bundle Branch Block

Anxiety is not only a stressful mental disorder but it impacts your overall health drastically. The Internet is loaded with queries that can anxiety and cause the right bundle branch block. This question comes to mind because anxiety also impacts blocking your heart vessels

In this article, we will find out what is anxiety, what is right bundle branch blockage and can anxiety cause right bundle branch block.

What is Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of fear that is our body’s natural response to stress. Anxiety is a fearful emotion of the body that happens usually due to some emotional distress. For example, you will fear nervousness if you have an exam tomorrow, a job interview, or you have to perform in front of thousands of people.

However, if your anxiety lasts at least six months or more and interferes with your daily life then there is a possibility you are suffering from an anxiety disorder.

On the occasions mentioned above if you are feeling anxious just for a while it is normal human behavior. Primarily people become nervous on big occasions but if you are feeling fear all the time. The Intensity of fear and anxiousness is so severe that it takes away your capability to focus on daily routine work this condition is best described as an anxiety disorder.

What is the right bundle branch block?

The obstruction in the right bundle branch due to any reason making delays in heartbeat signals and stopping the synchronization of the left bundle branch is known as the right bundle branch block. It causes irregular heartbeat.

The heartbeat is controlled by electrical signals of the heart that act as a pacemaker. The electric signals travelers from the Sinoatrial node that commands you’re right and left atrium to contract. Afterwards the electrical signals travel to the atrioventricular node and bundle branches leading towards the tightening of the right and left ventricles.

Usually when the signal reaches the ventricle branches at the same time both of the branches and ventricles are contracting. However, due to any abnormality when the electric signal reaches the right bundle branch slower than the left one, it slows down the contraction of the right ventricle as well.

Right bundle branch block can be incomplete or complete. If it is completely blocked their chances of heart attack and death. But if the right bundle branch is not completely blocked it reduces the severity.

Can anxiety cause Right Bundle Branch Block?

It is obvious that anxiety disorder can interfere with the normal functioning of different body organs. But can anxiety cause the right bundle branch block as well?

Yes, any type of stress can lead to improper functioning of the heart. Palpitation, arrhythmia, nervousness, anxiety, and sweating are the major reasons that can cause heart blockage. The same goes with the right bundle branch block.

It is not necessary that only stress or anxiety impact the right bundle branch functioning. The blockage of the right bundle branch can also be caused by chronic lung disorders or heart diseases. If the heart suffers from additional distress it can lead to permanent damage.

Can Anxiety Cause Chest Pain

Chest pain is among the most common symptoms of anxiety. Due to panic attacks, chest pain, and anxiety and there might be a connection between chest pain with other heart problems. Chest pain associated with the following symptoms

Persistent chest aching
Sharp shooting pain
Muscle spasm or twitch
Stabbing pressure
Burning or numbness
Chest tightness

Right bundle branch block ECG

The right bundle branch block has The following ECG criteria

The QRS duration is higher than 120 ms
It has slurred S waves in leads I, aVL, and frequently V5 and V6.
It has Bunny ear (as pattern) in the leads V1-V3(precordial leads)

How Does Anxiety Cause Right Bundle Branch Block?

Due to stress, the body gets into a hyper-excited state. During anxiety, heart pumping is increased increasingly the heart pumps higher than usual. The increased heart rate creates High pressure on the heart.

If a person is a patient with heart disease due to anxiety if continuously heart is beating at a high rate there are chances of second-degree heart block. If not treated on time it can lead to heart attack or heart failure.