T-Wave Abnormalities

[Scoty]

  Hello,
  I recently read a response to a question concerning t-wave changes on EKG recordings. The woman said her daughter(young) had an EKG with t-wave changes appearing. I am 21 and also had an EKG done which showed 'non-specific ST-wave changes', is this the same as nonspecific t-wave changes (ST instead of just T?). Questions:
  1) My doctor sais it is pretty common to observe these changes on the EKG's of young people, is this true?
  2)What types of severe problems cause these changes?
  3)I've also had an echo done as well as a physical exam by a cardilogist. She said that because these tests were normal my EKG change was considered a normal variation. What can cause this variation if it is benign?
  4) She dosen't wish to waste my time with a stress test, good idea or not?
  5) My main question is this. About as year ago I had an EKG done by a very young doctor in the ER, I was there with a severe flu and nobody has any idea why he did this test but he did. He sais my EKG was normal. Now, a year later the t-wave problem appears out of nowhere. This anomaly is what disturbs me, does it indicate that some change in my heart has ocuured? Could the abnormality have been there before and been missed by the young doctor, that's what my doctor suggested(cardiologist)? She says accurate reading and interpreation of these EKG's can be somewhat sticky if you don't have experience?
  Thank-You
  Have a great New-Year.
  Scotty
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Dear Scotty
ST and T wave changes refer to slightly different aspects of the EKG.
1. Yes.
2. Blood flow problems with the heart.
3. Just the way you are put together.
4. I would not have even gotten the EKG, so I would not get the stress test either, unless you have symptoms of cardiac disease.
5. I suspect that there have been no major changes in your EKG.
I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist.

[DB_22]

A related discussion, What does a 0.2' flat line indicate at the S-ST segment? was started.