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What Does My EKG Test Result Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 15 Jun 2016

Question: Last Monday, I fainted at work and was taken to the ER in an ambulance. I attribute this due to not eating because my stomach hurt and a hot, stuffy room. While at the ER, they did blood work, an EKG, a chest xray, all which I was told was fine. I have twice if everything including the EKG was normal, and the ER doctor told me yes. After they gave me fluids, they gave me the test results. I glanced down at the EKG and saw it was abnormal. I asked the nurse to get the doctor again so I could ask him to explain this to me. She would not do this and said I was fine. A few days later, I looked at the EKG and it said, possible anterolateral infarct, age undetermined. I know that means prior heart attack. I have an anxiety disorder, so this really upset me. I am going to be 64 and have no health issues. I would like a cardiologist to look at this EKG and tell me why and machine made this diagnosis and I want to be reassured I did not have a prior heart attack. I do know I have an incomplete right bundle branch block that I have had forever. The top of the EKG is cut off, so I will write the particulars: Vent rate: 73 bmp PR interval 156 ms. QRS duration 96 ms QT/Tc 402/442 ms P-R-T axes 34 -27 10 I will upload the EKG

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would advise you to undergo echocardiography

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mrs,

Such ECG can be seen in different conditions:
1. right heart diseases
2. previews myocardial infarction
3. sometimes we can see such ECG without any abnormality especially among overweight patients

I would definitely perform an echocardiography to a patient with such ECG to rule out abnormalities.

Hope this was helpful

Wishing you good health

In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (36 minutes later)

I understand that looking at the computer diagnosis that may be the case. I have enclosed the EKG for your review. My question is when I called the ER, I was told that the computer diagnosis was wrong in light of the EKG itself and the ER doctor felt it was fine...no previous heart attack. When you read the EKG do you personally see any evidence of a previous heart attack? I am thinking the incomplete right bundle branch block which I have always had slowed the conduction thru that side of the heart making that computer diagnosis.

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome back

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mrs,

I reviewed your ECG and wrote possibilities in my previews answer.
Every time a physician should interpret the ECG carefully for every particular medical condition and don't rely on machine answer as it can be incorrect in many cases.
In your case if you have no previews chest pain and coronary heart disease, then previews heart attack is not much probable. You should know that in some cases the ECG can be abnormal without any disease, but when we see such ECG, it is better to have echocardiography done, not to miss anything.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (19 hours later)

If I take an echo would it rule out a previous heart attack?

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome back

Detailed Answer:
With echocardiogaphy previews heart attack may be ruled out. Also if there is no cardiac abnormality with your valves and right heart disease, then there is nothing to worry about your ECG

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar