In my pre-surgery testing recently, I showed an abnormal EKG. The anesthesiologist made me get cleared by a cardiologist, who looked at my readings and said it was within normal limits and oked the surgery. The anesthesiologist was still not ok, and did another EKG which was similarly abnormal. My primary faxed over an old EKG from last year, and it was the same as the other two. Anyone else have abnormal readings? I figure I must be ok since I get my HR up to 190+ in races. Curious…Should I be worried?
My wife and I just had our VO2max and LT tests done and they did EKG’s before hand. Hers was wacked out due to her heart murmur. No big deal, but the EKG results could also be signatures of some bad things as well.
When they said abnormal what abnormalities are they speaking of? I run around all the time in a 1st degree AV block.
Just had an EKG last week in preparation for surgery today. This EKG, like every EKG I’ve taken over the last 20 years, shows sinus bradycardia - an “abnormal” heart rate below 60 bpm. At first, the surgical support staff was concerned, just like they appear to be in your case, but once they found out I am an endurance athlete and have been one for 25+ years, they concluded that there were no problems. Hopefully this is the case in your instance as well.
VR,
I haven’t had a normal EKG in 10 years. But every time I tell the cardiologist how much and what kind of exercise I do, they say, “oh, that explains it.”
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Probably no need to worry, sounds like I’m in the same boat as you and ditto the other replies…
Couple years ago, had an abnormal EKG at a walk-in clinic and they thought that I could potentially be headed toward a heart attack…said it looked like my heart wasn’t getting enough oxygen. I was admitted to the ER and went thru a very scary couple hours where I had all kinds of test done, they had me chewing on aspirin first thing before wiring me up…stated it was all in the course of being better safe then sorry.
I had several follow up appts with a cardiologist (further tests) before I was deemed to have an “abnormal normal” ekg due to extensive endurance excercise over the years. I was instructed to always keep a copy of my “abnormal normal EKG” (and let docs know upfront in any appts) so that any new docs will have a basis for comparison vs. prior tests and I won’t have to go thru the ER exercise again.
3 extra beats in my right ventricle. I have a small electrical build-up that releases 2-3 times a day. It doesn’t affect jack squat.
Originally a PA told me it was cardiomyopia after seeing the EKG. He sent me off with an appt for a stress echo, and instructions to not go faster than a walk or I might die. Looking back, I’m pretty pissed that he gave me the worst possible scenario as THE answer for the weird EKG. I would have appreciated “but we won’t know until more tests are done.” That was a rough week. Thankfully, the tactless jackass was wrong.
Worried? Nah. You never know with these things, but there is no use worrying over something that you have been living with. Even still, make sure you follow all instructions until it gets cleared up. If you do have any restrictions, I’m sure you’ll abide by them. But definitely don’t throw them out the window just because you haven’t gone into cardiac arrest yet.
“My primary faxed over an old EKG from last year, and it was the same as the other two.”
Had your primary identified the old EKG as abnormal? If not, I’d be wondering why.
From what I understand (not much), it is related to a dip in my t score, where there should be an up peak. At least, thats all I remember as I was lying on the gurney pissed to be delayed in going to surgery and hearing I had to go under general rather than local. And as for my primary, bestowing him with such a laud is highly complimentary, since I have seen him maybe twice in the past two years. It is an HMO, after all. Thanks for all responses. I think I will set up with a cardio and have the tests done to double check everything.
We were learning how to do them in class, and the teacher picked me to demonstrate on (skinniest guy in class) and ran the twelve lead strip, and passed it around class. When I got it, it sayd “cannot rule out previous myocardial infarction (heart attack)” WTF!?! Teacher said don’t worry about it, that they’re wrong all the time. Didn’t make me feel any better.
I have “left axis deviation” and “non-specific st-t wave”
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My father is a cardiologist, and I’ve gotten multiple EKG’s from him. Although there is nothing wrong with my heart, apparently people with low resting heart rates often have unusual results, as I did. I dont think its anything to worry about.
And hence why people should still read EKGs and not machines…
I would not worry about it. My standing resting HR is sub 60, Major LVH, and a little early repolarization. My max HR is around 206 - my age (not 220…). If a competent cardiologist clears you dont stress.