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Abnormal EKG Result
Hi everyone. I am a 40 year old woman with overall good health other than an ongoing anxiety disorder which is generally controlled with Zoloft, hypothyroid (Synthroid) and am overweight. I rarely get sick and get my routine physical every year.
The past year has been extremely stressful personally with my mother fighting parkinsons and dementia with lewy bodies along with losing my pup of 15+ years and general day to day life. But, I was not anticipating any issues with my physical yesterday. My blood pressure was good (129/70) and my pulse was 80, doctor listened intently to my heart and breathing, etc. Even though my insurance would not pay, I elected to have an EKG as I had done in previous years. (all have come back fine in the past with one borderline) The tech came back in and asked to re-run it as the battery on the first machine went out (I am sure this was a fib now). After the second EKG, the doctor came in and said that my EKG was abnormal.
Of course my brain is now racing and I started crying so I don't remember everything she said after those words but she wanted to follow up with a chest xray and an echocardiogram. Before I left, she said that the xray looked fine but of course, I wonder if she just said that to make me feel better. (see... anxiety LOL) I have the echo scheduled on Monday morning but of course I am terrified. I had an echocardiogram about 8 years ago because the doctor thought they heard a murmur but the results came back fine. Of course, I was probably 20-30 pounds lighter then.
They did not give me the actual readout but the notes on my checkout paperwork said Sinus Rhythm Probable inferior infarct minor inferior repolarization disturbance secondary to infarct Flat or low negative T wave in aVF with negative T wave in lead III. Did I seriously have a heart attack and not know?
Anyone ever have anything similar? Thoughts?
The past year has been extremely stressful personally with my mother fighting parkinsons and dementia with lewy bodies along with losing my pup of 15+ years and general day to day life. But, I was not anticipating any issues with my physical yesterday. My blood pressure was good (129/70) and my pulse was 80, doctor listened intently to my heart and breathing, etc. Even though my insurance would not pay, I elected to have an EKG as I had done in previous years. (all have come back fine in the past with one borderline) The tech came back in and asked to re-run it as the battery on the first machine went out (I am sure this was a fib now). After the second EKG, the doctor came in and said that my EKG was abnormal.
Of course my brain is now racing and I started crying so I don't remember everything she said after those words but she wanted to follow up with a chest xray and an echocardiogram. Before I left, she said that the xray looked fine but of course, I wonder if she just said that to make me feel better. (see... anxiety LOL) I have the echo scheduled on Monday morning but of course I am terrified. I had an echocardiogram about 8 years ago because the doctor thought they heard a murmur but the results came back fine. Of course, I was probably 20-30 pounds lighter then.
They did not give me the actual readout but the notes on my checkout paperwork said Sinus Rhythm Probable inferior infarct minor inferior repolarization disturbance secondary to infarct Flat or low negative T wave in aVF with negative T wave in lead III. Did I seriously have a heart attack and not know?
Anyone ever have anything similar? Thoughts?
Silent myocardial infarcts do happen, so that is a possibility but not very likely for a woman of 40 years.
The echo will give a much more reliable answers than the ECG can.
An ECG is a very valuable test, but interpreting often gives false positive and false negative results and further testing is often needed to confirm a diagnosis.
A negative T-wave can indicate an infarct, but can also have benign causes.
You will just have to wait for a few days, trying to keep anxiety under control.
Taking into account that you are a woman of 40, good health and good X-ray and previous echo results, I expect that there is nothing really wrong with your heart.
Take care and let us know how it went on coming monday,
Ger
The echo will give a much more reliable answers than the ECG can.
An ECG is a very valuable test, but interpreting often gives false positive and false negative results and further testing is often needed to confirm a diagnosis.
A negative T-wave can indicate an infarct, but can also have benign causes.
You will just have to wait for a few days, trying to keep anxiety under control.
Taking into account that you are a woman of 40, good health and good X-ray and previous echo results, I expect that there is nothing really wrong with your heart.
Take care and let us know how it went on coming monday,
Ger
1 Comments
I agree with GER. Like you, I've gotten a negative T wave--but so far, only when one particular tech places the electrodes on me. My echo and stress tests have shown no signs of any infarct.
You say, "Before I left, she said that the xray looked fine but of course, I wonder if she just said that to make me feel better. (see... anxiety LOL)"
Yes, that is your anxiety. More than that, doctors are legally liable if they lie to you. IOW, there's a strong incentive for them to be truthful!
Put your mind at ease on that score.
You say, "Before I left, she said that the xray looked fine but of course, I wonder if she just said that to make me feel better. (see... anxiety LOL)"
Yes, that is your anxiety. More than that, doctors are legally liable if they lie to you. IOW, there's a strong incentive for them to be truthful!
Put your mind at ease on that score.
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