Question Title: Abnormal ECG

Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic: Electrocard

I am a 41 yr. old female. During a golf game last Sunday I began having severe pain and pressure in my left arm and left chest area. It did not go away and I eventually went to ER for help. My blood pressure was extremely high and the nitro did reduce the pain and my blood pressure. It was certainly nothing like I have ever experienced. My ECG stated Early transition-QRS positive in V2. The ER doc referred me to a cardiologist and sent me on my way with an RX for Nitro. Before I could get to the specialist, I ended up back in the ER again--once again, severe pain, high bp and this time my ECG said Nonspecific ST and T wave abnormality. I have an appt. to see a specialist next week. I have coronary disease and heart problems in my family. What tests can be done to detect a blockage in me? What do the ECG results possibly tell us? I am a very healthy, busy, business woman. I am a single mom and travel for work. I am never ill and am pretty darned scared about this. What do you think? Thanks for your input. Laurie

Dear Laurie,

Thank you for your question. I would recommend a stress test to rule out clinically significant blockages. The particular test that I would recommend would be a stress Thallium or a PET scan. These are non invasive test to detect changes in blood flow to your heart muscle and should help sort out your chest pain. As usual if you continue to have chest pain seek immediate medical attention.

In addition I would recommend a reduction in your blood pressure and an assessment of any other risk factors that you might have including high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and obesity.

Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and
treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at
Desk F15 with a cardiologist

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