Abnormal EKG at age 30 now doing a stress test...?

Question

Hello...I have been on blood pressure meds. since I was18, both my grandfathers died in their 40's from a heart attack, my dad had a blockage at 32 and had triple bypass surgery at 44. I have ashma but was having more severe attacks with chest pains when I excersised and just laying down. I went to doc. thinking it was something else and had an abnormal EKG. Are there other reasons for an abnormal EKG that could not be serious, like because I was nervous or stressed? I am having a stress test done on friday with a treadmill but my dad is worried I am not having a sonagram with it, should I be? If the stress test is fine the doc. said everything is ok...but I still will be worried b/c of the 1st reading and family history. Am i worrying too much? I would greatly appreciate your help.....

Answer 1

You do have a family history of health problems, and as you know some people have inherited disorders at a young age. The doctor is correct in giving you more tests to determine the cause of your discomfort. If there is something they will be able to treat it and keep it from causing you more distress. Untreated and undiagnosed could shorten your life.

Answer 2

EKG abnormality is not a huge issue, people have "abnormal" EKGs all the time, and live long and productive lives. Your doctor is being prudent by doing the stress test.
EKG just measures electrical activity in the heart, and nothing more, it says nothing about the physical capability of your heart. So, the stress test will show if there is indeed a physical issue, if there is, then other tests will be ordered. Frankly, I'd skip the cardiac ultrasound and go straight to an angiogram, no room for doubt with that if there is a problem, and if there is a problem, they can fix it right then and there.

Answer 3

Based on your family history you may be predisposed to heart disease. Abnormal EKG can have many causes. The EKG is a fixed picture and may only reflect a temporary fluction which is causing your symptoms. The most common example of this is in a patient with a history of intermittent chest pain due to severe underlying coronary artery disease. This patient may have an entirely normal EKG at a time when he is not experiencing any symptoms. In such instances, the EKG as recorded during an exercise stress test may reflect an underlying abnormality while the EKG taken at rest may be normal. Same goes for abnormalities.

Have he stress test but don't stress good luck

Answer 4

My sister was 41 yrs old and was having chest pains for many weeks,the pains would last 10 minutes and she would get them a few times a week for about a month.She went to the doctors and they said she was fine so she went on,She was in ann arbor visiting her grandbabies and she has another attack,she was admitted into the hospital and did all the tests because they thought it was her heart,She did the stress test on the treadmill for 12 minutes and had a ekg done.They told her she was fine,nothing wrong with her heart,they released her and she went home.within 2 days of the release.I got a call from my niece telling me my sister had passed away from a Heart attack.A clogged artery in the back of her heart.Why wasnt this found in the stress test?Why did they not do more tests because while she was being monitored her heart rate went down to 50 beats per minutes but yet they say She was fine.She took the word of AnnArbor because she was told they were the best.Get More than one opinion Please.Dont risk your life on what one doctor tells you.My sister would still be alive today if they would have done things properly.August 27th was my sisters funeral.R.I.P my sister.
Tina Marie Balenger

Answer 5

I dont have the family history that you do but I had one once (an abnormal EKG). I personally think that it was a load of hooey for the dr to prescribe further testing (I still have yet to get my "required stress test") but when I asked a few RNs that I knew about it they laughed and told me that numerous things might be the issue. 1) Being overly nervous 2) my CAFFINE addiction (I have since switched to decaf) and 3) the fact that it was 2 days apres Jimmy Buffett and I had drank way more than I should have.

Hope that possibly helps (or at least doesn't make me look like too much of a goof!).

Answer 6

A stress test is a good start. It should pick up any major blockages in the coronary arteries. It wouldn't hurt to have an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) as well, as it is usually a pretty standard order with chest pain. Are you seeing a cardiologist or a family practice doctor? With your family history it would probably be better to see the specialist.

Answer 7

Dear Libragirl, calm down and mellow out. They need to do the stress test to determine exactly what the problem is. Put your faith in the doctor for now. All you might need is a medication,and maybe decrease the am't of exercise for a while until you know the results. My husbands 1st heart attack was when he was in early 40's,2nd in early 50's and 3rd in 60's. He has wonderful doctors and I am his caregiver.now. Before stressing out and making yourself sicker, do some breathing exercises,eat healthy,slow way down on salt and animal fat and wait for results. Then you can deal with what he/she says. Best of luck with your tests. By the way,hubbys parents both passed away in their early 60's from heart disease and hubby is now in mid 70's. Takes 26 pills per day that keeps him going. Medical science has grown so much especially in the area of heart diseases,a lot better than yours and my parents and grandparents.

Answer 8

Are you haveing the nucular stress test? Its more informitive that a plain stress test. Sonogram is good idea.
With your family histor its best to check every thing. I had a 7 bypas 2 yrs ago at 59 yrohe counter asthma meds can mess up your heart..
Good luck