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What Do My EKG Test Results Indicate?
Question: This is a follow up question to a previous post. I was in the ER a few weeks ago with shortness of breathe and am a cardiac patient, with history of double bypass. I was told by the ER doctor that my SOB was not related to my heart. They did a Troponin test and my levels are .01. I just check back with the hospital and received the results of my EKG showing Abnormal EKG. Report states cannot rule out inferior infarct, age undetermined. The report further states minimal criteria for inferior infarct are now present. I have not received a return phone call from hospital yet. Does this mean I had a silent heart attack? The doctor reading the EKG was using an EKG from 2014. The Q-T interval 376 now 396 in 2015 and QT-interval (corrected) 454 now 444. I am in the process of changing insurances and wont be in to see my new PCP for 2 weeks! This is alarming. I am scared and this is triggering my anxiety.
Brief Answer:
there is a chance that a silent MI occurred
Detailed Answer:
HI
The idea of an infarct would alarm most if not all persons, so your worry is understandable..
The qt interval is somewhat based on the heart rate but the normal range is 350 to 440, this range can vary slightly at different institutions.
A prolonged qt interval can sometimes be associated with an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) - this means one that very recently occurred.
It is possible since that you may have experienced a silent MI at some point but the exact time would be unclear.
This does not mean that you will get another prior to your visit to your doctor.
Treatment of a person with a heart attack mainly consists of controlling risk factors to prevent another stroke
A lot or all of these you may be doing already.
This means :(1) taking aspirin,
(2)controlling your blood pressure so that it is within normal range,
(3)normal blood sugars,
(4)normal cholesterol,
(5)no smoking,
(6)appropriate physical activity, weight loss of any excess weight
(7)medications such as ace inhibitors or arb meds have been shown to be helpful in heart disease eg lisinopril. ramipril, enalapril, telmisartan, valsartan etc
These are the main measures that your doctor would employ when you see him/her
In addition , an echo to check the present function of the heart may be requested. This would be to make sure that the walls are pumping well
Even if you had a heart attack at some point, it does not mean that you will get another if you are able to control the risks well.
If anything unclear, can let me know
there is a chance that a silent MI occurred
Detailed Answer:
HI
The idea of an infarct would alarm most if not all persons, so your worry is understandable..
The qt interval is somewhat based on the heart rate but the normal range is 350 to 440, this range can vary slightly at different institutions.
A prolonged qt interval can sometimes be associated with an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) - this means one that very recently occurred.
It is possible since that you may have experienced a silent MI at some point but the exact time would be unclear.
This does not mean that you will get another prior to your visit to your doctor.
Treatment of a person with a heart attack mainly consists of controlling risk factors to prevent another stroke
A lot or all of these you may be doing already.
This means :(1) taking aspirin,
(2)controlling your blood pressure so that it is within normal range,
(3)normal blood sugars,
(4)normal cholesterol,
(5)no smoking,
(6)appropriate physical activity, weight loss of any excess weight
(7)medications such as ace inhibitors or arb meds have been shown to be helpful in heart disease eg lisinopril. ramipril, enalapril, telmisartan, valsartan etc
These are the main measures that your doctor would employ when you see him/her
In addition , an echo to check the present function of the heart may be requested. This would be to make sure that the walls are pumping well
Even if you had a heart attack at some point, it does not mean that you will get another if you are able to control the risks well.
If anything unclear, can let me know
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much for your honest response. I am working on the anxiety issue and hope to be able to manage my emotions and my health. You have been very kind. Thank you sincerely, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
No problem
Detailed Answer:
I wish you well and at peace
God bless you and keep you safe and well
If you have any other queries, feel free to ask
No problem
Detailed Answer:
I wish you well and at peace
God bless you and keep you safe and well
If you have any other queries, feel free to ask
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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