Question 1

I'm really worried about my recent ECG showing a slight ST depression in V5. I've been dealing with anxiety and some gastric issues. I've had previous tests like an ECG treadmill, and both my troponin I and T were normal. Should I be concerned about these new findings?

Accepted Answer

Slight ST depression in V5 on ECG can sometimes be seen in patients with anxiety and gastric issues. Since your previous ECG, treadmill test, and troponin I levels were normal, it is less likely to be related to a heart condition. However, it is important to continue monitoring your symptoms and follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation. In the meantime, you can consider taking medications like Pantoprazole 40mg once a day for gastric issues and medications like Lorazepam 0.5mg as needed for anxiety.

Question 2

I've been told I have an Incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block, but I'm really concerned because I'm experiencing irregular heartbeats quite often, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. My heart rate slows down, skips beats, speeds up, and this cycle keeps repeating. I've had an echo, and my blood tests are fine. The first ECG showed an abnormal sinus rhythm, but the more recent ones only show the IRBBB with a normal sinus rhythm. Im not stressed or anxious, so I cant figure out what might be causing this. What could be going on?

Accepted Answer

It sounds like you may be experiencing episodes of arrhythmia, given your symptoms of irregular heartbeats with variations in speed. Since your echo and blood tests came back normal, and your ECGs have shown Incomplete Right Bundle Branch Block (IRBBB) with a normal sinus rhythm, it's important to further investigate the cause of your arrhythmias. One possible reason for your symptoms could be Atrial Fibrillation (AF), which can sometimes be difficult to detect on ECGs. I recommend discussing with your healthcare provider about possibly wearing a Holter monitor or undergoing a cardiac event monitor to capture your heart's electrical activity over an extended period. This can help in identifying any underlying arrhythmias such as paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In the meantime, to help manage your symptoms, you can consider taking a medication like Metoprolol (brand name: Lopressor) at a low dose under the guidance of your healthcare provider. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can help regulate your heart rate and reduce the frequency of irregular heartbeats. The usual starting dose for Metoprolol is 25mg to 50mg once daily, but your doctor will determine the appropriate dosage for you based on your individual health needs.

Question 3

For how long can we rely on the CT coronary angio results? My mom is 65, diabetic, and had one done in February 2020it all looked pretty normal back then, no plaque in the main artery and a calcium score of zero. Her recent ECG also came back normal and she's not having any symptoms, but we've found that she has mild pulmonary hypertension with a systolic pressure of 34 mmHg on a 2D echo. She's not taking any blood thinners right now. Do you think we should consider repeating the CT angio?

Accepted Answer

CT coronary angiography is a non-invasive imaging test that can provide detailed information about the coronary arteries. In your mother's case, since her CT angio done in Feb 2020 showed a fairly normal result with no plaque in the main artery and a calcium score of zero, it indicates a low risk of significant coronary artery disease at that time. Given that the recent ECG is normal and your mother has no complaints, the decision to repeat the CT angio should be based on her current symptoms, risk factors, and overall clinical condition. Mild pulmonary hypertension as seen in the 2D echo with a systolic pressure of 34 mmHg may not necessarily warrant a repeat CT angio unless there are new symptoms or concerns regarding her cardiac health. It is important to continue monitoring her condition regularly with follow-up visits to her healthcare provider, who can assess the need for any further investigations or adjustments to her treatment plan.

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Although there has been no conclusive evidence of link, there have been few reports of heart attack, stroke and arrhythmia in men taking Viagra.

More Cardiology Health Queries

I'm really worried about my recent ECG showing a slight ST depression in V5. I've been dealing with anxiety and some gastric issues. I've had previous tests like an ECG treadmill, and both my troponin I and T were normal. Should I be concerned about these new findings?

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