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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Far Does An ECG Go Towards Diagnosing Heart Failure ?

How far does an ECG go towards diagnosing Heart failure, does a normal ECG mean it is not present? I have been having problems sleeping, an uneasy feeling accompanied by bouts of chest tightness and increased heart rate when i try to sleep. I went to my GP who said the symptoms were stress related as I had chest pains and a pressure headache which have now ceased. Recently I have developed a build up of mucus that is lining the back of my mouth and throat. I am not wheezing and do not have a cough, there are no apparent areas of swelling on my body. When i physically exert myself i have no pain, I have a slight noticable increase in heart rate, more than before but thats it. I have had an ECG which was fine, is an ECG enough to diagnose heart failure on its own? any ideas about what else it could be?
posted on Sat, 19 Dec 2009
Twitter Sat, 19 Dec 2009 Answered on
Twitter Sat, 19 Dec 2009 Last reviewed on
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EKG/ECG is at times a highly deceptive test, sometimes the process of myocardial infarction is going on and the EKG/ECG is normal. In any case of chest pain, the patient should be hospitalized and ACS protocol is to be carried out viz, cardiac baseline enzyme tests including tropinin and trop T,CKMB AND ISOKET is to be started. In case of any change in the tropinin or tropT is positive standby for streptokinase or SK should be instituted. In some of the cases Ecg/Ekg changes occur after 24 to 48 hours,i.e when the job is done. Kindly see a good cardiologist or report to ER (cardiac) or call your help line.
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How Far Does An ECG Go Towards Diagnosing Heart Failure ?

EKG/ECG is at times a highly deceptive test, sometimes the process of myocardial infarction is going on and the EKG/ECG is normal. In any case of chest pain, the patient should be hospitalized and ACS protocol is to be carried out viz, cardiac baseline enzyme tests including tropinin and trop T,CKMB AND ISOKET is to be started. In case of any change in the tropinin or tropT is positive standby for streptokinase or SK should be instituted. In some of the cases Ecg/Ekg changes occur after 24 to 48 hours,i.e when the job is done. Kindly see a good cardiologist or report to ER (cardiac) or call your help line.