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Incidence of and risk factors for bundle branch block in adults older than 40 years

Joon Hoon Jeong1, June Hong Kim, Yong Hyun Park

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
|October 16, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Bundle branch block (BBB) incidence increases significantly with age, particularly in individuals over 65. Advancing age, male sex, hypertension, and diabetes are key risk factors for this cardiac condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Bundle branch block (BBB) is a cardiac conduction abnormality with unclear prognostic implications in the general population.
  • Previous research on BBB incidence and risk factors has yielded conflicting results, though age is a known correlate.
  • This study investigated the incidence and risk factors of BBB specifically within the Korean population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of bundle branch block (BBB) in adults aged 40 and older in Korea.
  • To identify clinical factors associated with an increased risk of developing BBB.
  • To provide a comprehensive epidemiological profile of BBB in the Korean population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 14,540 adults aged 40 and above who underwent general health screening.
  • Data collection included questionnaires, blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), total cholesterol, and fasting glucose measurements.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 10.0 for Windows.

Main Results:

  • The incidence of complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) was 1.5% (≥40 years) and 2.9% (≥65 years), with higher rates in men and individuals aged 75-79.
  • Advancing age (≥65 years), male sex, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were significant risk factors for CRBBB.
  • Complete left bundle branch block (LBBB) and bifascicular bundle branch block (BBBB) incidences were lower (0.1% and 0.3% for ≥40 years, respectively), with advancing age and cardiac disease being key risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Bundle branch block (BBB) incidence was 1.7% (≥40 years) and 3.4% (≥65 years) in the Korean population studied.
  • Age is the most potent risk factor for BBB, with prevalence increasing significantly in older age groups.
  • BBB appears to be a marker for slowly progressing degenerative conditions, highlighting its clinical significance in aging populations.
Abstract

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