I am very concerned over an EKG that the EMT's took tonight.

[SassyLassie]

It has been a scary evening. I called 911 because I was having such horrendous back pain that went up my right jaw to my ear. It was the worse pain ever. I was petrified it was a heart attack as women can have heart attack pain in the upper back. The EMT'S we're so nice. They took all my vital signs and did an EKG. My blood pressure was elevated of course as was my heart rate. They said the EKG was normal but when I looked at it the computer remarks, they were anything BUT normal. I am so scared, I made an appointment to see my GP Tuesday ,but I will be worrying everyday until then. They said I wasn't having a heart attack, that the pain is probably due to fibromyalgia and other issues. she said to follow up with my GP next week. They both said I looked healthy. I just don't know why the EKG was abnormal. Anyway. I am sitting here, scared crazy with no one to turn to. Please keep me in your prayers. I am so hurt that Steve didn't want me to call 911, I now know I will never have his support, I try so hard to take care of him when he is not feeling well, but I sure don't get the same treatment. He said I should have waited, I told him that if you think someone is having a heart attack you call immediately. He said he won't do that until he makes sure I need him to call. Well dang it, by that time I could have major damage to my heart!!! He was very upset that I called them. I am sick over all this. He had the nerve to get angry at me for saying I was upset over the way he acted and wouldn't call 911. I can't take this crap much longer. I have no one over here who cares. I feel so alone and scared. :-( The abnormalities are "low voltage QRS in precordial leads" and Inferior/lateral ST-T may be due to myocardial ischemia.

[SassyLassie]

The computer reading said: The abnormalities are "low voltage QRS in precordial leads" and Inferior/lateral ST-T may be due to myocardial ischemia.  The EMT had told me it was a "normal" EKG. I am concerned about who was right, the EMT or the computer re-out remark.

[grendslori]

I probably wouldn't worry about this too much. Having worked EKGs myself, I can tell you that they can be misleading, that's why a cardiologist should always look them over. A person having a heart attack...it's usually very obvious that there is a problem; they are very pale, almost a gray coloration with a very cold sweaty body everywhere. You are correct that women feel a heart attack often times in the middle of their back as opposed to their chest. Patients also tend to be very short of breath and there is a way to easily evaluate that. Don't worry about the EKG until a physician gives you good reason to be worried. In the long run you may save yourself a lot of worrying grief. :)

[SassyLassie]

Thank you, however, it isn't so much as it showing a heart attack, the EMT said it didn't, but what I am worried about is the part on the top that says:  "low voltage QRS in precordial leads" and Inferior/lateral ST-T may be due to myocardial ischemia. I am afraid this means some sinister disorder going on. I am not sure why the EMT said it was a good reading. I will sure ask the doctor when I see him Tuesday.

[2210485]

I know its been almost a week, Ive been very busy!

I will absolutely confirm you did the correct thing by calling ems. Low Voltage QRS can mean fluid around the heart. An echocardiogram is a prudent test for you.

The bulk of people that actually die from heart attacks die because they were apprehensive about seeking help.

A large percentage of these had "false alarms" in the past that lead them to believe their symptoms would resolve.

[SassyLassie]

Thank you, I think I did too and would do it again. I see the doctor this Friday, I am going to ask why the EMT said it was a "normal" reading, I am still concerned over that.

[2210485]

So, I can not speak toward your diagnosis, I am not a doctor; however I will share a bit about my own qualifications and experience:

I work on the Engineering/Research and Development side of Cardiology. Part of my studies is understanding how ekg machines function in order to design and build better equipment. I am also a qualified technologist in the field of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Catheterization.

Incidentally this type of engineering field requires a high degree of knowledge or background in patient care. In short you can't build something if you dont have a fundamental understanding of what it will be used for.

With that said I will tell you this:

The diagnosis printed on the EKG is for the doctors not the patient. It is a safety mechanism designed to remind providers to look more closely at a particular element of the EKG that needs attention.

The technology is nowhere near precise enough to yield an accurate diagnosis. In fact; when there is an actual problem with the heart, the machine diagnosis will be incorrect the majority of the time. However; it does accomplish its function of giving a provider a rough idea with regards to a potential problem.

I agree you should speak with your doctor regarding the results and act as your own advocate to ensure you receive care that is satisfactory for you. From a technical aspect however I am absolutely qualified to assure you that the result you saw printed is neither conclusive nor does it necessarily have a significant chance of yielding an accurate diagnosis.

[SassyLassie]

Well,I went to my doctor this afternoon. I tell you, I am sooooo blessed to have him, I REALLY like him. He went over that "abnormal" EKG and said, that yes, it did look a little abnormal, so, to be on the safe side, he has ordered another EKG for me this coming Tuesday, and possibly will order some other tests to set my mind at ease and his too. He said that sadly, most doctors don't take women's heart issues serious, they think that if they have pains in the back (Like I do) it is nothing, when in reality, it could very well be heart related. He said the doctors need to check women for heart issues as closely as they do for men. I agree, I have always known that most docs don't take women serious when they say their backs hurt or they are sick to their tummy's, etc. This one is one-in-a-million.  He also ordered a complete blood work panel on me, no other doctor would do that since I have been over here. So, after all the results are in, I will see him a week from next week, and we will go over all of them and discuss more plans of action. He said if I get those pains again to be sure to call 911 again, I assured him I would. He said that when women have an EKG taken at home by an EMT, he always like to do another one just to be safe.

[Occupant]

What do you mean by - anything but normal ECG? Other than that, I have had the very same problems with back/neck pain - and I still do occasionally - that went into my jaw and my ears and, according to the doctor, into my eyes - I had a biopsy done for temporal arteritis - and they sent me to the dentist to have my jaw checked. Every thing turned out negative and now I just take the pain or take an Aleve off and on.

[SassyLassie]

Anyone have any ideas, please??