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30 year-old female with abnormal EKG
by carriefuller, Nov 10, 2007 12:49AM
Hello -
I have recently had fatigue for a week, then chest pressure accompanied by irregular heartbeat. I went to an outpatient clinic where an EKG was ordered. It said "Vent. rate 80, PR interval 136 ms, QRS duration 96 ms, QT/QTc 382/441 ms, and P-R-T axes 56 79 - 28, normal sinus rhythm. ST & T wave abnormality, consider inferior ischemia, ST & T wave abnormality, consider anterior ischemia. Abnormal ECG." I was sent directly to the ER, where a repeat EKG showed the same findings. After blood gas, cardiac enzymes, and about an hour or so on a pulse-ox/respirations/heart rhythm monitor, a few hours later I was sent home from the ER. The nurse told me the doctor said that he thought it was a panic attack. Should I follow up with my primary care physician and have an echocardiogram/Cardiolite stress test/stress echo/etc. done or just accept the diagnosis of anxiety. I do not have a high-stress life at all. No financial trouble, no family trouble, no source of worry whatsoever. I am especially worried because two grandparents have had stents placed, another has had a quadruple bypass 10 years after a double bypass done before, and I have two parents and four grandparents with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I"m only 30 years old but I am still somewhat apprehensive about this. Should I let it go or follow up on it? Thanks for your time :)
I have recently had fatigue for a week, then chest pressure accompanied by irregular heartbeat. I went to an outpatient clinic where an EKG was ordered. It said "Vent. rate 80, PR interval 136 ms, QRS duration 96 ms, QT/QTc 382/441 ms, and P-R-T axes 56 79 - 28, normal sinus rhythm. ST & T wave abnormality, consider inferior ischemia, ST & T wave abnormality, consider anterior ischemia. Abnormal ECG." I was sent directly to the ER, where a repeat EKG showed the same findings. After blood gas, cardiac enzymes, and about an hour or so on a pulse-ox/respirations/heart rhythm monitor, a few hours later I was sent home from the ER. The nurse told me the doctor said that he thought it was a panic attack. Should I follow up with my primary care physician and have an echocardiogram/Cardiolite stress test/stress echo/etc. done or just accept the diagnosis of anxiety. I do not have a high-stress life at all. No financial trouble, no family trouble, no source of worry whatsoever. I am especially worried because two grandparents have had stents placed, another has had a quadruple bypass 10 years after a double bypass done before, and I have two parents and four grandparents with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I"m only 30 years old but I am still somewhat apprehensive about this. Should I let it go or follow up on it? Thanks for your time :)
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I would definitely have the Cardiolite test. Ask your GP for a referral to a cardiologist, who can perform these tests. Cardiologists are more familiar with the subtle signs and risks and will know more about how your family history affects your own risk.
Chances are, at 30, you're probably okay - but be proactive.