Q. What abnormalities can be seen on an ECG?
This noninvasive test can measure many aspects, from how fast the heart beats to how well its chambers conduct electrical energy. An abnormal EKG can mean many things. Sometimes an EKG abnormality is a normal variation of a heart’s rhythm, which does not affect your health.
Q. What could cause an abnormal ECG?
Many abnormal ECG’s are rooted in problems with your heart. Electrolyte imbalances or medication side effects can cause your heart to beat too quickly (tachycardia). Heart defects or abnormalities in your heart’s shape or size, blood flow or heart rate will result in an abnormal ECG as well.
Q. Is abnormal ECG serious?
Sometimes an ECG abnormality is a normal variation of a heart’s rhythm, which does not affect your health. Other times, an abnormal ECG can signal a medical emergency, such as a myocardial infarction /heart attack or a dangerous arrhythmia.
Q. Can high blood pressure cause abnormal ECG?
High blood pressure Other aspects of heart disease may lead to an abnormal EKG. For example, people with high blood pressure are more likely to have an abnormal EKG reading.
Q. Is an abnormal ECG serious?
Q. Should I worry with abnormal EKG?
Sometimes, an abnormal EKG result may be a sign of a serious issue, such as a heart attack . When a person has a heart attack, the heart can lose its fresh supply of blood, which can cause tissue damage and even cell death. Damaged tissue will not conduct electricity as well as healthy tissue, which could cause the abnormal EKG reading.
Q. Does abnormal EKG always mean heart problems?
An abnormal EKG means that there is something unexpected in the EKG reading. This is not always a sign of an unhealthy heart . For instance, in 2015, researchers found that competitive sports athletes regularly had abnormal EKG readings.
Q. What causes an abnormal EKG result?
Enlargement of the heart or specific chambers of the heart also cause EKG changes. A wide variety of conditions, ranging from certain infections to lupus, can inflame the heart muscle or its lining leading to characteristic EKG abnormalities. Even some lung diseases are known to cause unexpected EKG results.
Q. Can abnormal EKG be normal for an individual?
Sometimes, an abnormal EKG reading is actually just a normal variation in a person’s heart rhythm. In other cases, it may be due to an underlying condition of the heart or a reaction to a medication the person is taking. An EKG reading is a helpful diagnostic tool.
