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Can STRESS affect an EKG readout?
by stressedinme, May 30, 2007 12:00AM
I recently had my first EKG. It came out abnormal and there is no EKG from my past to compare it to. I'm 55 F and I do have risk factors for heart disease and it's probably best that I get checked further but of course I'm hoping that there is no real physical problem. Could the amount of stress that I have been under for the past year and still going strong be affecting the EKG readout?
Thank you!
Thank you!
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Stress or anxiety can cause sinus tachycardia (normal rhythm, rapid pulse in excess of 100 bpm).
Hyperventilation can cause non-specific ST-T wave changes, especially in the inferior leads. Incomplete right bundle branch block may also be present (QRS <110 ms).
Both may cause or aggravate premature beats from the atrial or ventricular level (PAC's or PVC's).
The changes are largely due to the effects of endogenous catecholamines (adrenaline) on the myocardium. Catecholamines increase cardiac output, rate, constrict vessels, raise blood pressure, and widen the pulse pressure (difference between systolic and diastolic).
In the case of Hyperventilation, the culprit is Alkalosis (loss of CO2 retention, and increase in arterial pH). The resultant acid-base imbalance results in minor electrolyte imblance, which influences the ECG voltages.
-Ryan