ECG Results

[tmeehan]

I have just had an abnormal ECG the results are as follows:

Sinus Tachycardia, Biatrial Enlargement, left Bundle Branch Block

Vent Rate 104 bpm, PR Interval 142ms,qrs duration 146ms, QT/QTc 402/528 ms, P R T axes 74 12 99.

Can anyone explain in plain english the consequences of above results.

[kenkeith]

I have been volunteering my time for going on 7 years to answer heart related questions.  Started here on this forum in 2004, went to another health forum for a couple of years and back here to this forum. The point is sometimes information is maintained in one's memory, so it is rather presumptuous of you to remark on another's posted information or the qualifications of a "group".

Yes, it would help you to do a little of your own research,and after a period of time you too can rely on your memory (at least 75% or so), and part of researching is to have some understanding of the subject matter and know what and where to research...now what you know and know where to find what you don't know...yoki.

You are misstaken in your judgement to say you are more productive by referencing an OP to see a doctor.  You haven't had much experience, so you are limited to say see a doctor, and attempt to justify your lack of experience....even so there isn't any problem with you to jump on this forum and make comments about a "group" and comments about another member's post.  The forum welcomes almost everybody, so there is an appreciation and thanks for your input (it just appears you are bitter or something). We can all learn from each other, and a little research for an OP is commendable and not to be decried. Take care.

[stevie_wonder]

Yikes! I could have googled that info too but thought it was more productive to just advise the person to go see a doctor soon.
I stand corrected. Sorry

[tmeehan]

Thank you Ken you have been a great help.  I wish you continued good health. Take care. Tom

[kenkeith]

Hi Tom, I had congested heart failure about 7 years ago, the symptoms were shortness of breath and a dry cough when lying down.  I would hyperventilate and gasp for breath and relief came by not lying down. The problem was lung edema (congestion) from lack of sufficient blood flow to heart cells from impaired heart wall movement.  The decreased heart wall movement compromised the heart from pumping adequately and blood backed up in the lungs and fluids leaked into lung tissues. The heart was enlarged and only pumping less than 29% of the blood received from the lungs.  With treatment my heart is normal size and pumping adequately today.

I had foolishly worked in a dusty environment without wearing a mask.  When I went to ER. I thought the problem was with the respiratory system and shocked to hear I had had a silent heart attack. Apparently, I had a weak heart and  breathing the dusty environment more than likely increased the heart's workload that could not be sustained and blood backed up into the lungs.

Yes, your symptoms can be related to your respiratory disorder, and hopefully that didn't burden your heart, and that will be determined with your tests. You were rightly counselled to have your heart evaluated.  I had to have an echocardiogram to diagnose heart failure, but you may have just had an asthmia attack and no heart issues.  Take care and I wish you well going forward.  take care.

[tmeehan]

Ken,
thank you that is very informative and helpful.  My main symtoms were inability to breath properly particularly at night when I lie down.   Several nights sat up all night as I couldn't breath at all when lying down.  Also inability to walk any distance (no more than 50 metres) without feeling of nausea and having to rest being completely out of breath.

Since July my GP has been treating me for late on set Asthma without any improvement so I am guessing that was a wrong diagnosis.  I only got an ECG on friday because I insisted on having my heart checked at the advice of someone else.

Thanks again for your help.

Tom

[kenkeith]

QUOTE stevie-wonder: I don't think there is anyone in this group qualified to give you advice.

>>>>>>>I understand you and almost all other posters are not seeking advice but attempting to get a perspective and insight into the medical reports, etc. that will enable better communication with one's doctor (hopefully). Whether or not anyone in this "group" has qualifications to give advice seems to miss the point regarding the mission of the forums associtated with MedHelp.org.and responding comments should not be considered as advise but general information..
_________________________________________


Sinus Tachycardia:  Tachycardia can occur from either source, the right ventricle source is the normal pagemaker (sinus node).  And another can be from an abnormal source within electrical network.  Your sinus tachy is the result of a faster than normal (60 to 100 bpm) orginating with the sinus node and  the 104 bpm may or may not not be a medical problem depending on other tests, health history, sympoms  and doctor's evaluation, etc. This pertains to all results for an EKG...only a tool, requires further testing, etc..  

Biatrial Enlargement: Is an enlargement with both upper chambers (letf and right). Left atrial enlargement is often seen in mitral valve insufficiency, resulting in back flow of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium and subsequent increased local pressure. The mitral valve is the one- way passing of blood from the lungs to left ventricle to be pumped into circulation.  Insufficieny indicates some blood backflows into the upper chamber rather than into circulation.  Would need an echocardiogram to validate.  EKG is not a very good source for chamber dimensions.

Right atrial enlargement can result from increased pressure in the pulmonary artery, e.g. after pulmonary embolization (lung blood clots) and/or pulmonary vessel thrombosis (blood clots) and/or pulmonary vessel stenosis (narrowing), etc.  

Bundle branch block: For some insight regarding the bundle branch. Normally, electrical impulses within your heart's muscle signal it to beat (contract). These impulses start with the sinus node and  travel along a pathway, including a slender cluster of cardiac fibers called the bundle of His. This bundle divides into two branches — the right and the left bundles — one for each of your heart's two lower chambers (ventricles) with the electrical impulses that transmit down the heart wall (septum) . Your doctor will with other tests, etc.  do a differential diagnosis for the possibilities of heart disease, congestive heart failure, thickened, stiffened or weakened heart muscle, and high blood pressure, or there can be a false posotive due to an artifact (equipment induced)..  

"PR Interval 142ms,qrs duration 146ms, QT/QTc 402/528 ms, P R T axes 74 12 99" are the parameters of the EKG wave, appropriate lead placement and the angle of axis that transmit the elcectrical impulse being followed..

Hope this helps give a brief perspective and the impressions, consequences, and treatment if necessary will be a decision with a complete workup provided by your doctor.

Thank you for your questions, and if you have any followup questions, you are welcome to respond.  Take care

[tmeehan]

Thanks Stevie, I had only just had the ECG when I posted so will be seeing my GP on tuesday for interpretation of the results and hopefully for a referral to a cardiologist. The technician who did the ECG didn't say anything other than go see your GP and give him the print out.  I guess I was just trying to find out how urgent it might be as you say there is lots of scary stuff on google but didn't seem to tie up with the lack of urgency in the attitude of the hospital that did the ECG.  Appreciate your help. Tom

[stevie_wonder]

Hi,
What did your doctor say about your ECG? There are many different causes of a left bundle branch block. All of which need to be dealt with. I do hope that your doctor has made an appointment for you to see a cardiologist.
I don't think there is anyone in this group qualified to give you advice, so I would suggest you take this information to a doctor soon to have an appointment made with a cardiologist if this hasn't already happened.
If you google left bundle branch block there is loads of information that will probably just scare and confuse you, so just get this looked after as soon as you can so can rest easy.
Take care,