Lateral Myocardial Infarction

[dumpertruckbigmouth]

Hello,

My 23 year old son has some MH problems and an eating disorder. His most recent ECGs show bradycardia and lateral myocardial infarction. Yesterday, he had another ECG and we are awaiting contact from the GP with respect to what further action, if any, may be recommended. Recent blood tests have come back as normal, so there are no electrolyte imbalances.

I have read about the heart condition, and wonder just how serious this may be. My son does complain of pains in his chest, and we put this down to asthma, prior to the ECG. Now I wonder if it may be a sign that all is not well with his heart. He also experiences very cold hands and his finger tips can turn blue. Again, we thought this was Raynaud's syndrome, but now I wonder if it is connected to the heart issues.

He is at the lower end of the normal weight range for his height and he has not engaged in bulimic behaviours for about two weeks, and I maintain a low arousal environment to help him manage his anxiety

I just wonder if there are any precautions we should be taking prior to further advice from the GP. For example, my son goes to the gym every day and either does quite intense weight training or rigorous cardio. He also takes long walks every day. I know he will not stop training, but should he inform the gym of his 'condition'? He always takes his phone on walks.

Eating disorder and over exercise (or even moderate exercise with ED) can put massive strain on the heart.
Whats gp doing? Ring gp again today Xxx

Thank you. I will ask my son if he will call the GP or e-mail them (they have corresponded by e-mail before). I really think he needs some advice that will enable him to manage his ED in a way that does not impact on his heart so much e.g. cutting back on the intensity or duration of exercise.

Will the damage to his heart heal in time?

The ECG would have been reviewed by the GP, who presumably doesn't think it shows a lateral myocardial infarction or they would have either sent him to hospital or at the very least urgent cardiology appt.

If it just says it on the printout, then the machines analyse the ECG but are notoriously inaccurate. Health professionals are trained to ignore what it says on the printout and do their own analysis.

Which is a longwinded way of saying he probably hasn't had an MI.

However eating disorders do cause ECG changes and changes to the heart which can be dangerous, over exercising is common in eating disorders and the gym should know he has one. Sadly he will probably just carry on exercising at home though.

@AnnaMagnani Thank you. This is very reassuring. Two ECGs have shown this, so the machines must be quite inaccurate.

I do agree with you that he will just continue exercising at home. In fact he has quite a bit of gym equipment at home (acquired during lock down).

Agree the machines often come up with terrifying notes on the printouts. If you do have a few ECGs that do show problems it may be worth getting a second opinion from a cardiologist and doing a 24 hour ECG.