I think i need to see the doctor?

[cyberknight]

Had a medical at work and apparantly i have an abnormal ecg !
No st segment so the s wave and the t wave have no gap , kept asking me if i suffer from dizzyness or shortness of breath .
The works Doc was not about to look and the reading is the same as 3 years ago but no follow up at the time .

 

[Saluki]

I'd be seeing my doc too, especially if the works doc isn't going to investigate further.

 

[Pointy boy]

Get it checked properly. I was diagnosed with an irregular ECG a few years ago. Further investigation discovered an underlying arrhythmia. After a bit of experimentation, the docs found the right combination of drugs for me. At the time I was terrified that it could mean an end to my running climbing and cycling, but in fact I'm now fitter than I have ever been, and can run/cycle further and faster than ever (partly due to the drugs, partly due to me getting serious about my health).

It is a worrying time, so I do feel for you, but the heart is a well understood organ these days, and the treatments are very effective. I hope it all works out well for you.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Yes, better safe than sorry I say!!

 

[petergc]

Go see a doc. My wife has an abnormal ECG, heart conditions run in her Dads side of the family. Two years ago her cousin died of sudden adult death syndrome, something which can only be diagnosed and treated when you are alive. Once you've gone it will not show on a post-Mortem. I'm not saying this is what you have but Tony used to have abnormal ECG.

Get it looked at as it's defo to safe. Like Saluki says if work Doc isn't happy then second opinion is needed..

 

[jazzkat]

I'm actually in the opposite situation - I'm having dizzy spells and strange heart beats, but a quick ecg didn't show anything - So I've had a 24hr ECG and am waiting for the results.
Get it checked out.

 

[Ganymede]

I have an irregular heartbeat - it's much more common that you imagine - and having it diagnosed was a big relief. It actually meant I had fewer and less noticeable episodes of ectopic beats and in fact I've not needed medication. I just have to be aware of it and mention it to anyone if I have an injury or invasive procedure (it can make you vulnerable if you get an infection). I've even been cleared for scuba diving. In my case it was a mitral valve prolapse, a condition where one of your valves is a bit floppy and causes disruption in the rhythm. I was told 1 in 8 people have it and most are unaware! My Dad has a pacemaker so I guess that's where it comes from. (I had a 3-day ECG btw.)

So what I'm saying is - yes get it checked, and you might find that once you know what it is you need nothing but reassurance and awareness. Good luck.

 

[gavgav]

Get it checked out. I was treated for a heart condition called Mahaim Fiber Tachycardia in 2011. Whilst it was the most frightening time of my life, the procedure wasn't actually too bad and the fact that i no longer have to worry about my heart racing to 300 beats per minute is a big weight off my mind. They can do amazing things these days, with little or no inconvenience to the patient.

 

[Hip Priest]

You should ALWAYS get things like this checked out by a doctor. Having said that, I've got an abnormal ECG (left ventricular hypertrophy) but my doc says it's all down to my cycling. Apparently it is quite common in endurance athletes (LOL). I've also got a resting HR of 41.

 

[Pointy boy]

Seems we're all in agreement. A good point made by a couple of people that I forgot to say in my previous post: a lot of heart irregularities don't require any treatment at all, and a proper diagnosis will mean that you can just relax and get on with your life :-)

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Go see a doc. My wife has an abnormal ECG, heart conditions run in her Dads side of the family. Two years ago her cousin died of sudden adult death syndrome, something which can only be diagnosed and treated when you are alive. Once you've gone it will not show on a post-Mortem. I'm not saying this is what you have but Tony used to have abnormal ECG.

Whilst that sort of thing terrifies me, and I send my condolencies to everyone concerned, that is one cracker of a quote!!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I don't think I have any irregularities, unless the speed of my heart changing when I breath in and out is one of them, but what are the side effects of these things??

Thanks.

 

[petergc]

Whilst that sort of thing terrifies me, and I send my condolencies to everyone concerned, that is one cracker of a quote!!

Yeah I re read it this morning and I thought that to!!

 

[Pointy boy]

I don't think I have any irregularities, unless the speed of my heart changing when I breath in and out is one of them, but what are the side effects of these things??

Thanks.

Good, straightforward info here http://www.heartrhythmcharity.org.uk/www/44/0/Arrhythmia_basics/ (a cracking charity too). Just a quick disclaimer that info on the web, however good, is no substitute for getting a professional diagnosis.

 

[fossyant]

I had tests about 8 years ago via a work check up. My readings came back slightly irregular, but the doc was happy as I was a fit cyclist - her husbamd's ECG was odd and he did sports. She said 'if I didn't know you were fit, I'd say you were about to have a heart attack'.

Dont worry, but do get it checked out.