Irregular EKG - could this be false?

[JAT9141]

I had an EKG today in preparation for having shoulder surgery.  The EKG was abnormal, much to my surprise.  I exercise daily, eat right, keep my weight down, don't smoke, drink only socially.  I have never had any heart problems and I don't have any current symptoms of any problems.  Is it possible this is false?  I have to go for a nuclear stress test now.  I was nervous during the doctor visit.  My blood pressure was a little elevated at the beginning of the doctor appointment, and at the end of the appointment, they re-took my blood pressure and it had come down 25 points.  So, could it be that my nervousness also affected my EKG?  Also, I've been reading on the Internet that EKG's are often false positives and that people then go for further testing to find out everything is fine.  Of course, now I am worried about having an abnormal EKG and hope that the readers can share some advice and personal stories about abnormal readings on EKG's being false positives.
Thank you!

[Jerry_NJ]

I am not aware of any cases of "false EKG" readings.  I think they read what is going on.  The interpretation can be in error, I suppose and your mental state can cause abnormal, for you, readings, even skipped beats.

A stress test should help determine how well your heart is pumping, getting proper oxygen levels.  

[JAT9141]

Jerry:  If you search the internet for "abnormal EKG" causes you will find that false positives are common.  Here is an excerpt from one website:

"Like many medical tests, EKGs may have false positives or false negatives. This means that the EKG may show an abnormality, called a "false" positive, that turns out to be unimportant."

[jkfrench]

What was abnormal?  EKG's say abnormal even if it is just pvc's I think.  Have them clarify what was abnormal.  I wouldn't worry too much because I  have also heard that there are a number of false positives and negatives.
Frenchie

[SassyLassie]

I had an "abnormal" EKG a few years ago. I went to the ER for horrific back spasms, they were getting ready to send me home, well, I had not had an EKG for awhile, so, I asked for one. Wow, I shouldn't have. It came back "abnormal" saying due to digitalis and I do not even take the stuff. So, the techs all came in, were hooking me up to oxygen "just in case" and doing all the heart attack protocols. Talks about scared. I just sat on my gurney and could not believe what was happening. They rolled me to a room in CCU and monitored me all night, did troponin tests and other EKG's, all came back glowingly. So, finally, about 14 hours later, I was sent home with a diagnosis of upper back pain and costochondritits and a very very low heart attack risk. But, it scared me so badly, that to this day, almost 2 years ago, I freak if I think I am having any kind of trouble.

My one doc says the EKG was abnormal due to my back spasms and being so nervous and to not worry, I have been told that by others too, so, I have actually calmed down a lot, especially after seeing my echo was so good.

So, yes, they CAN be false, they are only computers and if not calibrated right, can sometimes tell fibs.

[JAT9141]

I also found this on the Internet about false positives on EKG's:

“We estimate that if 20 percent of EKGs are false, the follow-up tests will cost about $683 million, and that doesn’t account for the stress that a patient feels, the time off from work they have to take, and the possible complications that result from the follow-up test.”

I am now in this group.  Now, I have another test to deal with, and the stress related to that.  Of course, I want to make sure that all is well.  To add to my frustration, I now have to delay my shoulder surgery, which is why I had the EKG to begin with.  

[JAT9141]

Wow, you know the stress involved with hearing your EKG is abnormal!  To add to my frustration, I now have to delay my shoulder surgery, which is why I had the EKG to begin with.  They are sending me for a stress test.  I found the following on another website regarding false positives for EKGs:

“We estimate that if 20 percent of EKGs are false, the follow-up tests will cost about $683 million, and that doesn’t account for the stress that a patient feels, the time off from work they have to take, and the possible complications that result from the follow-up test.”

[SassyLassie]

Yes, hearing about an abnormal EKG is horrible, and to be admitted and have all the heart attack protocol, mercy. But, thankful, it was a false reading, but still, I am still shook up over it. It said "ST abnormality, possibly due to digitalis", well, I do not take the stuff, mercy.

There is a section in the heart forum where doctors answer questions, and one doc said that EKG could absolutely be false, that they were only machines based on alogarhytmn, and if not calibrated right or set up right, could darn well cause false readings. I read that after my false one and it made me feel better, especially when all my other readings were OK and my Echo I had just a few months ago was fine.

I can relate to your anxiety, gosh, why do things like this happen?