I had an ECG yesterday, and it showed what my doc described as 'flat bumps'. Can anyone explain this?

Answer 1

You're best off asking your doctor, since he is using non-technical language that can be difficult to interpret. But, certainly if these "flat bumps" were anything to be concerned about, he would have said something.

Most likely, he is talking about something we in the biz call "t wave flattening". On an EKG, every heart beat generates a predictable sequence of electrical impulses. The first is a little blip called a "p wave" which is the top part of your heart being activated. The next is called the "qrs complex" which is usually the tall, sharp spikes that people see on TV or in the movies. This is the bottom part of your heart squeezing. The last is a bump (usually bigger than the p wave) that we call the "t wave". This represents the bottom part of the heart "recharging" so to speak for the next heart beat.

Lots of things can make the t-waves appear flattened. This includes ischemia (caused by coronary artery disease), pericarditis, hypothyroidism, electrolyte imbalances... Most likely, it is a benign finding though, because you would more than likely have other symptoms if the flattened t-waves were caused by any of those. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned. Take care!

Answer 2

There are basically three "bumps." A little bump, a big tall bump and a medium sized bump. The first bump (the little one) occurs when the atria depolarize. There's a small segment of flat line between the little bump and the big tall bump. This is the time when the depolarization wave is "in" the AV node (the yellow spot from above.) When the "wave" enters the two bundle branches and is very quickly conducted to the purkinje fibers and ultimately to the ventricular muscle mass, the big tall bump occurs. Immediately following the big tall bump is another section of flat line then the medium size bump. During this section of flat line, and during most of the medium sized bump, the heart in incapable of "beating" again. The medium size bump is a graphic representation of the heart "resetting" itself for the next "beat."This is normal ECG pattern.
What he was talking was that one of the bump was not normal but of low voltage, resulting in flattening of the three bumps given above.

Answer 3

It means the QRS peak is flatter on top instead of pointy. It has to do with a voltage issue in your heart.

Answer 4

The best way to find out is to ask your doctor. He might even answer your question by telephone.

Answer 5

Sorry that is just not a useful description, you will need to ask him what he meant!