ekg results

i am a 42 year old female.  i recently had an ekg and afterwards the dr. called and said it showed heart damage.  she also said it's probably a mistake because i run 3 miles a day and sometimes womens results are off.  i'm sceduled for an echo in 3 weeks and a stress test 2 weeks after that.  my question is, should i be concerned, should i limit my running in between, and have you ever heard of mistakes on ekg's especially with women. i'm concerned about it and the waiting is hard.  thank you

[Cleveland Clinic]

suzh

thanks for the post.

Its impossible to comment on the ECG without seeing it. ECGs are not standardized for young women and your ecg may be a variant related to your body habitus or size. Alot of perfectly healthy people have abnormal ecgs.

Since I don't know your full history, I would discuss with your doctor his/her recommendation for exercise.

It sounds like your doc is concerned enough and is investigating more thoroughly.

Keep us updated and good luck.

[WPWGuy]

hello suzh,  I recently experienced a similar problem.  The doc was concerned because heart monitor showed indications of ischemia (run of VT), in an incident that took place after I already passed an echo stress test.  I am an avid runner and have been for several years, but in my memory have not always had the best eating habits...

A heart cath/angiogram took take place within a few days --- to look at coronary artery blockage --- even though the results of the echo stress test were good.  

I certainly understand your situation.  There was about a week there where waiting for the test was unbelievably depressing.  

In the end though, there was no blockage, and now I am focussing on the real problem (electrical issues probably related to a prior ablation).  In fact, every time we do something we get closer to getting this real problem taken care of.  Finding these things out is a good thing you know.  By finding out, you get the opportunity to do something about your situation.

Good luck.

[knicks30]

Regular Electrocardiograms can be pretty off from time to time, usually giving false information.

It's good to see that you'll have an echo and stress in the upcoming weeks to see how your heart is doing. You exercise daily so i would say you are fine.

[RBSub]

I understand exactly what you are going thru.  I had an EKG about 4 years ago as part of a regular physical and it came out very abnormal.  I had testing done as a result of that including several more EKG's and everything was fine.  It turned out that the particular machine had a malfunction.  The anxiety of waiting for the results of the test are the worst thing.

[wingtip]

Since I've been treated for a-fib, I found that 25% of the people out there have something that is out side of the norm, but not something that will cause disabilty.  I have an abnormal ekg and I run marathons,  if you doctor felt you should stop exercising, he would have stated it.

[Steve606]

I'm a marathoner and 1/2 Ironman triathlete and I have recently had some problems with my breathing.  Diagnosed as exercise induced asthma.  Also had an exercise stress test and pcp told me that my tolerance to exercise was great but my EKG was, in a word, crappy.   Scheduled to see a heart specialist as a result.   I've been told by a number of educated friends that an abnormal stress test is fairly common for people that are fit.  Looking for more information to at least help put my mind at ease prior to heading to the heart docs.  Can anyone confirm that fit people are very apt to have bummer stress tests.
Thanks,
Steve