EKG and blood test results

[AT902]

I'm a 28 year old female and have been suffering from palpitations, chest pain/tightness and shortness of breath for 7 months now. I've always been very active (working out 4-5 days a week), but the last 6 months I don't tolerate exercise very well.
My heart rate varies a lot, sometimes it's around 125 at rest, other times it drops to around 50, but mostly it's around 80/90. I have normal blood pressure during the day, around 110/70 - 120/80, during sleep it dropped to 90/45 (24h blood pressure monitor).
I recently had an EKG and several blood tests. The blood tests only showed a slight increase in white blood cells and above normal phosphate levels.
The results from the EKG were abnormal, it showed a sinus tachycardia (110, no anxiety), and the other results I remember were:

PR - 140
QTS - 80
QT/QTc - 348/433

I also saw they noted I had a ST depression in lead III.

I wasn't told much, except that some results were abnormal (the ST depression) and that the QTc was on the long side/borderline. They said my own doctor would explain more about it, but he didn't, he just said not to worry to much and first do some other tests before drawing conclusions and that the QTc fell just within normal range.
But I would like to know what those results mean, and if there's a connection between the blood test results and the EKG results.
Thank you an advance.

[Lee Kirksey, MD]

Hello
It sounds like you were quite active previously and remain so despite these new symptoms. Have you had any previous evaluation of these symptoms or is this the first. Is this evaluation conducted by a cardiologist or your primary care specialist.

Your evaluation will probably consist of some variation of a cardiac echo with a stress component to see if the physiology of exercise can be reproduced. Perhaps a holter monitor and perhaps a perfusion stress test. Also an electrical conduction study or tilt table test may be considered if this is felt to be an electrical conduction disorder.

The decision about which combination of these tests is most appropriate will be made based upon your a history, physical exam and review of your EKG.

Most importantly, you should be cautious to avoid injury with your exercise considering you feel lightheaded afterwards.

Its kind of unusual that your doctor didnt discuss what he felt was the cause or if he wasnt sure, what the future plan would be to determine the cause. I would recall the office and request to speak to someone who is able to tell you what the next step is to get to the bottom of this problem. Be polite but persistent and Im sure that youll get an answer.

The lab values and EKG changes are rather non specific and dont point to anything obvious without more testing. More important is the fact that you're just not yourself and there is a reason that has yet to be determined

PS after they figure out your acute problem consider Coenzyme Q10, D Ribose and fish oil supplementation for long term heart health

Good luck and I hope you get answers soon so that you can be on the road to recovery. It sounds like your taking quite good care of yourself.



www.personalwellnesswheel.com

[AT902]

I forgot to mention, my weight is good (I'm 5'3" and 120lbs), cholesterol levels are fine and lung capacity is also good (above average).
I also forgot to mention that after exercise I sometimes nearly faint and feel very sleepy, during exercise I notice I get tired sooner than before, but I don't feel like I'm going to faint.