q waves

[meta74]

during a stress test the doctor pointed out q waves to a medical student   what do they mean?

[grendslori]

Why don't you ask her if she would accept not being paid??? Sometimes doctors like this drive me up a wall! This is the first i have heard about the Q-wave in manner that ken has witten about. we were always taught to pay attention to the S-T segments as far as dealing with a heart attack. Sometimes the Q-wave will disappear into what is called a Delta Wave but it doesn't sound like what you are asking about. The delta wave deals with an accessory electrical tract that shouldn't be there.

[meta74]

thanks.  will chase it up with my doc.  the doc who did the test didn't really explain anything  she said their were some abnormal q waves and that along with my family history, presenting history and lifestyle meant i had angina.  i was only able to complete 60%  (I think) of the test before I had to stop   i have never had any serious illness and I'm afraid i switch off from it.  now four years later and still taking meds i now have dozens of questions and all my doc says is "why can't you accept it"

[kenkeith]

The prognostic significance of the type of first acute myocardial infarction (Q wave versus non-Q wave) and Q wave location (anterior versus inferoposterior).  The distinction has implications: Patients with anterior wall acute myocardial infarction showing Q-wave regression had a trend towards a smaller amount of necrotic myocardium and a significantly larger amount of stunned myocardium.

My EKG indicated I had an MI with Q wave regression.  Almost all of my damaged heart cells were revitalized from a hypokinesis heart wall to a normal functioning with therapy.

Hope this helps and if you have any further questions feel free to ask.

[grendslori]

The EKG is made up of 5, sometimes 6 parts: P,Q,R,S,T and in some people the U wave. He was probably teaching the med student about where to find the Q-Wave. I wouldn't worry about it.