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What Does My ECG Test Report Indicate?

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Posted on Fri, 26 Feb 2016
Question: On my ECg report it says 193 anteroseptal infarction, probably old. and 274 abnormal repolarisation, possibly non-specific. My GP doesn't seem too concern and will refer me to a cardiologist only if I am worried. Well, I am!














doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
infarct means death of tissue, need to control any risk factors

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

It is understandable to be concerned, at this stage the main aspect of treatment however would be preventing any further damage.

According to the ECG, there was an infarct to the anteroseptal aspect of the heart. Infarct means death of a certain area, in this case, the front (antero) part of the septum (septo)
The septum divides the heart into right and left.

Abnormal repolarization - there are certain stages in conduction of signals through the heart, there is depolarization and repolarisation.
When structural changes occur in the heart eg the infarct then the passage of signals may be alerted even slightly.

This may be the cause of the abnormal repolarisation.

The numbers in an ECG report normally represent either the measurement rates or lengths of certain intervals or complexes or segments though the exact area being measured is normally stated.

There is no measurement of an infarct or abnormal repolarisation.

Prevention of future damage would involve tight control of any risk factors such as blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, smoking, activity, alcohol use.

If you have high blood pressure, medications such as ACE inhibitors have been found to the helpful with the heart eg ramipril, lisinopril, enalapril etc

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (20 hours later)
Thank you. Does it mean that I have had a heart attack?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
yes, a small one

Detailed Answer:
HI

It does mean that at some point there was a small heart attack.

A heart attack is essentially reduced blood supply to some part of the heart causing the tissue that is in that area to die (infarct).

Please feel free to ask anything else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (45 minutes later)
could it be recent or old? How can we tell?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
unfortunately would not be able to determine exact time frame

Detailed Answer:
HI

Unfortunately, there is no way from the ECG to determine the approximate time frame, it does state it is old but cannot say how long ago.

When a person is having a heart attack, there are certain blood tests that are done but these levels would only be high in the few days surrounding the attack and would not likely be abnormal at this point.
Eg troponin, AST, CK-mb

The management is the same however, control any risk factors- blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, smoking, alcohol, activity

If anything else unclear, can let me know
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (51 minutes later)
Thank you I will sign off.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
ok

Detailed Answer:
No prob

Feel free to contact if remain concerned
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 days later)
I feel dizzy sometimes. Does this have a relation with the heart attack?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
may not be cause

Detailed Answer:
HI

IF the heart was not working as it should (not pumping well enough) then reduced blood supply to the brain can cause dizziness.
It is possible, that even with the heart attack, your heart is still working well enough to send blood to the different organs so it may not be the cause.

When you see the cardiologist, they may consider an echo, this is a test that would be able to see how the walls are pumping, this test would show if the heart is working effectively. Unable to see via ECG.

Dizziness can be due to : dehydration, inner ear diseases, abnormal heart rhythm (not mentioned in ecg), side effect of medication, anemia

Summary: depends on how much blood the heart is pumping out but it is quite possible that it is still pumping out enough

Cardiologist may consider echo

Would rule out other causes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (10 hours later)
I had an echo on 14 Dec., but have not had the results. I was told that I will get those when I see the cardiologist on 4 March.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
this would give some answers

Detailed Answer:
Ok

this echo would be able to give an idea of heart function. It looks at the walls of the heart and how they are pumping, also determines how much blood is pumped out with each heart beat to see if it is enough.

Checks to see if any area is enlarged as well

If there is anything else, can let me know
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Does My ECG Test Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: infarct means death of tissue, need to control any risk factors Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic It is understandable to be concerned, at this stage the main aspect of treatment however would be preventing any further damage. According to the ECG, there was an infarct to the anteroseptal aspect of the heart. Infarct means death of a certain area, in this case, the front (antero) part of the septum (septo) The septum divides the heart into right and left. Abnormal repolarization - there are certain stages in conduction of signals through the heart, there is depolarization and repolarisation. When structural changes occur in the heart eg the infarct then the passage of signals may be alerted even slightly. This may be the cause of the abnormal repolarisation. The numbers in an ECG report normally represent either the measurement rates or lengths of certain intervals or complexes or segments though the exact area being measured is normally stated. There is no measurement of an infarct or abnormal repolarisation. Prevention of future damage would involve tight control of any risk factors such as blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, smoking, activity, alcohol use. If you have high blood pressure, medications such as ACE inhibitors have been found to the helpful with the heart eg ramipril, lisinopril, enalapril etc I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions