EKG Question

[Me967]

If a person has a Atrial Septal Aneurysm, "can it throw off an EKG computer reading"  concerning Mobitz ll blocks, or anything else that might travel down along the Septum?  Just curous.
Have posted before.  Any replies  or research would be great.

[Me967]

Hi.  I went to the Dr. today and was told that you really can't go off of what the EKGs "say".  She didn't really explain it but did do alot of blood work, another EKG that showed no mobitz block, just a incomplete right bundle branch block and the same old usual stuff that shows up on them.  She said it looked good though and set up an appt. for a echocardiogram and a stress test for next week.  

I was wondering if you could tell me if a "myocardial perfusion stress SPECT gated with EF" test is the kind that uses the radioisotope injections?  And also what SOB-CP HL means?  No biggie, just curous.

Thanks for everything;
Amy

[Me967]

Thank you so very much for your help.  I am going in tomarrow to speak with my Dr. about everything.  My husband is insisting on my going to a cardiologist since I started having the chest pains, coughing and breathlessness after yard work.  I like my Dr. but, she is a nurse practioner (sp ?) and I think it's time to see someone who specializes in the heart now and explain my test results with me.  At least to find out about what's going on.  Thank you so very much again for your help.  

Amy

[Me967]

kenkieth,
Thank you so VERY much for all of your time.   I was really hoping for an answer from you.  I have read alot of your post and trust your knowledge.  I just wasn't sure if the symptoms along with the test were enough to go back.  I also questioned just calling my old cardiologist from 2006.  Even though I was very upset with my Dr.s answer in Feb. I do like her and don't want to upset her.  
I find it easy to go in for ex. broken bones or something; but, to go in for "I feel funny" just don't seem right.  I don't know.  Plus it seems if you do then they want you to take nerve pills, and I don't think that solves anything.  Might keep ya quite though.  ha ha. Anyhow, I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much for your input, even if it did surprise me.  God Bless you and I hope all is well with you.  You are truelly an asset to this site.
Sincerely;  Amy


Susan,
Hi.  As far as the interatrial septal aneurysm (ASA) goes; I was told that: (in layman terms), As long as the two side don't communicate your ok and that with todays fast moving technology they are showing up more often.  I read your post that you put on the expert foram but, I do not understand the abbreviations.  

I NEVER would believe it was heart issues (when she said it was).  I went to the Dr. in 2001 and didn't go back until 2006 so I went for a few years w/ high blood pressure until it leveled out around 165/101 HR 110 for ~1 yr.,because I thought I could change it on my own with lifestyle and refused the thought of BP pills.  

Now I believe it; nevertheless, now she's giving me the cold shoulder I think .  ha ha.  Can't blame her I guess.  I'm very stubborn (I'm told- LOL) and probably won't get old gracefully.  NOW I'm ready to listen; all though after reading my own post above, I still am trying to say to myself "Ok it's probably just a mobitz l and I'm fine".   My family wants me to go in before my 2 mo. recheck appt. because I can't speak full sentences w/o running out of breath at times.  My words just stop mid-sentence and the pains are getting too hard to hide.    And after the post from kenkieth it looks like I just have to get the courage and buck up and go in.  He gives really good advise so it looks like I have to contact her again.   Best wishes to you;
Amy

[siezq]

I really don't have the time right now, but after reading your last letter I couldn't believe how much you sound like I feel. I am 54 and for about 2 years had all sorts of things happening where I felt like if I didn't know any better I was having heart problems or about
to have a heart attack.I never have energy and always blah.  After tests....stress, cardio catherization, everything ok. Had an echo and was told I have a interatrial septal anurysm. Doctor made it sound like I have nothing to worry about, but I do. I also feel like I  am being a pain with the doctors but sometimes I feel like I'm getting the run around.  I doubt I was of any help. Anyhow, take care.     susan

[Me967]

Hi and Thanks again,
Is that what the is EKG's actually showing in my 2008 ekg picture then?  I'm sorry I  don't know how to read them.  

My Dr. told me for about a 1 1/2 years I should slow down alittle. just figured I had high bp and a pulled muscle in my back (the worst pain) that was making my arm sore.  The reason each time for going to the Dr.  
In January I was tired of the pain in my back and she said my heart was beating hard and done an EKG and said I needed to keep my bp down low that I was like a ticking time bomb..  I just wanted something to make my back better. I did try to quit smoking though.

This Feb. I finally believed her that it was my heart when I thought I could actually die.  I told her I was getting bad shooting pains, my arm felt like it was filled w/ cement it was so heavy, my vision was blurred, my heart felt like it was racing and my bp dropped.  The next day I went in to see her and she checked my bp, had me breath in twice and checked back with the stethescope and said there was no other test to do other than that what was done in 2006. That I had to bloom? or maybe had the flu and to call her monday a.m. if it didn't get better.                          
It made me fill silly for complaining; but, then I got upset and wanted to know my reports.  I have a re check appt. in 2 months.  I will ask her then.  I haven't had bad pains like that since though; just little short stabbing pains that are in my chest and a sorta sunken filling in my chest w/ the awareness of my heart beat in chest and throat.  More of just a nuisance than anything now.

If it gets bad like that again, after hearing from you though I may just have to go to the ER.  I'de just fill stupid though if it was NOT an a real emergency and I took their time up.  

Thanks for the information; and sorry if I gave you too much. ha ha  God bless you and I can't say thank enough.

Amy

[kenkeith]

I am sorry to have shocked you, but from what I read Mobtz 11 is very serious and the doctor should be pro-active. It can progress rapidly to a complete block.  You deserve an answer, and there is a possiblility clinical evidence does not support that diagnosis.  Or it may be a Mobitz 1 heart block that is not considered as serious.

"Mobitz II heart block is characterized on a surface ECG by intermittently nonconducted P waves not preceded by PR prolongation and not followed by PR shortening. The medical significance of this type of AV block is that it may progress rapidly to complete heart block, in which no escape rhythm may emerge. In this case, the person may experience a Stokes-Adams attack, cardiac arrest, or Sudden Cardiac Death. The definitive treatment for this form of AV Block is an implanted pacemaker".

Take care and contact your doctor for clarification.

[Me967]

Thank you for answering my question.  You seem to really understand the heart.  I was quite shocked by your comment; but, I feel very honored to have it answered by you.  

I have been putting down my medical test results in my "Journal".  My Doctor never told me that anything was wrong on any of my EKGs.  I found out by requesting my medical reports after being frustrated really bad in February of this year.  I have uploaded the pictures of them to view.  I never wanted to believe it was a heart issue.  

I've had all the symtoms of heart issues but, was with in hopes that it might be something else that I could just take a ha ha "magic pill" and make it all go away or womanly changes (not), just plain old sweats for no reason.  In 2006 I was checked out by a cardiologist and was told I was fine.  I told him the stress test was easy for me but, I cannot do hills or stairs?  I posted them for everyone to look at in hopes of some kind of reason as to why I feel the way I have for the last ~ 3 1/2 years off and on.  

Can things really change that much in 2 years?  
I thought my test were pretty good on the heart but, now I'm questioning that.
If this is a Mobitz ll block is there anything to reverse it minus a pacemaker?  
Should I call a cardio Dr. about this?  I don't want to anger my Dr. but, I also would like to be able to get things done like I used too w/o being out of energy all the time or in pain.
I could go on and on.  Your answer took me off guard.  Sorry for making this so long,  and thank you for your kindness.  I hope all is well with you, and Thanks again;

Amy

[kenkeith]

It wouldn't throw the EKG reading into default or error.  What it does is trace the signal (impulse) as it passes through septum and an enlargemnt can disrupt the normal pathway of the signal.  The signal separates at the distal end and goes on to excite the heart cells of the left and right ventricle to contract the ventricles.

A Mobitz 11 block is serious form of  AV Block and should require an implanted pacemaker..

[Me967]

Can you REALLY trust any EKG readings with a ASA?