Reading ECGs?

[BusyBeeThirtyThree]

Hello! I have rare heart wiring so receive regular tests such as ECGs and CT scans. I could go forever with no issues (likely)but also it could to wrong over time(much less likely).
My last 3 ecgs (2 x 1 day in March, 1 in October) have said 'abnormal ecg, t wave abnormality, consider inferior ischemia'. The Dr hasn't commented on it and I feel naughty for snooping (they always fold it over lol) so I'm too embarrassed to ask! Is this ecg comment just a system thing the doc would know is fine by seeing the whole report or could there be something going on? TiA 😊

The first rule of ECG interpretation is to treat people and not ECGs!

It's probably best to ask someone who has your medical history to go through it with you. A specialist nurse or Dr could answer your questions, or if you have No upcoming appointments, you could ask your GP.

The thing at the top can be nonsense! It needs context, why was it done etc

Hi! Are the ECGS being reviewed and those comments added by a human, or are those comments computer driven?

These comments sound like they are generated by the machine picked up on the tracing. I wouldn't be too concerned as the doctor will have a look at the report and compare the actual waves, getting their ruler out etc.... there is an actual reason and not just coincidence that the tracing is on squared paper. If concerned the gp would refer to cardiology. I perform ECGs on patients, but thankfully can't read the results, and although the comments can look scary I take them to the consultant and they are usually never concerned. An example of the generated comments could be a heart rate at 59bpm will query possible brachycardia - this is purely based on ranges as a normal resting heart rate is between 60-100bpm. Try not to worry.

I had an increase of symptoms (breathlessness, intermittent sharp pain around armpit/collarbone height, increase in palpitations (which I usually get anyway) so I am going back again in May but it was just as I'd had multiple ecgs say the same thing and had 2 ecg print outs last time. If I have to go for surgery it will be pretty devastating (pacemaker at the least) so I can imagine my Dr won't be quick to tell me any suspicions straight away - a panel decide on any treatment due to the complexity of it too, so I suppose at the time of seeing them, I didn't really want to know! I'll give the specialists a call- the figures etc are so hard to interpret (which is probably for the best lol) thanks!

Oh and the cardiologist was holding a ruler last time so probably fine!

Sounds like you are under the right department and they are investigating it for you. Yes we get people who have repeated ECGs and the same abnormalities will appear over and over again, but the consultants will be looking for changes in these abnormalities and any one I've spoken too don't seem too concerned if there are no changes. Good luck.

I think if you have had symptoms, some discomfort and breathlessness you should make an appointment to see your GP.

It's not that anything is necessarily amiss, but it's important that someone reviews you clinically today, to assess your ECG, your symptoms and your history. If you need any treatment, it can be then be started quickly.

If you need to tell the receptionist it's urgent to be seen today please do. It's OK based on the suspicion of ischaemia. Again it doesn't mean you have it - just that it's safer to rule it out.

If you have any further episodes of chest pain or discomfort, especially if these are associated with breathlessness, don't hesitate to call 999. It's always better to review chest pain and exclude alternative causes than to take the risk.

Good Luck.

The ECG machine generates that assessment. You need to put in the data to generate the assessment. The machine will make assumptions if data is not entered.

ECG machines tend to assume everyone is a 50+ white man. Historically cardiac research was only done with 50+ white men. An older machine will have that bias built into its technology. This is why any decent cardiologist folds down the top interpretation as it creates bias and is misleading to non clinicians.

More and more cardiology procedures are minimally invasive e.g. via the femoral artery or radial artery.

If your cardiologist was holding a ruler he was interpreting the ECG to the minute levels. Glad you have such a dedicated team.