T waves

  I had an EKG done, and was told that in 1 of the 12 leads there was an
  inverted T wave.  The doctor said this is not a problem, just a variation
  of normal.  I asked a second doctor who agreed with this.  When is an
  inverted T wave a problem?

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

_
Dear Bob,
There are actually many conditions and situations that can lead to T wave
inversions, however it is only a problem when it occurs in multiple leads in
the setting of other signs (subtle as they are) of hypertrophy of the heart, or in the
situation where you are concerned there might be decreased blood flow to a portion
of the heart- a kind of "almost heart attack"(medical term-ischemia.)  Again, never is hypertrophy
or ischemia indicated by one lead with an inverted T wave on a single ecg and
just in case you are wondering, when ischemia occurs, it is an all or none thing and
does not start out with one inverted T wave and progress to others, rather it involves
many leads' T waves all at once.  
Information provided in the heart forum is intended of general medical informational purposes
only, actual diagnosis and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).