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Is A Mild Heart Attack Indicated By ECG Findings A Cause For Significant Concern?
Hello, My mother F-55 recently was taken to the hospital to do an ECG; she complained of excessive sweat and fatigue to which she was taken to the hospital. Post ECG, she was told, she had a mild heart attack but now she is fine. The interpretation of the ECG was probably MI (inferior), low QRS amplitude- probably abnormal ECG. She felt lightheadedness the day after but said she was fine. I am abroad and extremely concerned. Findings also suggested that there was Q in III avf. Please, share your thoughts, if this is something serious or is it something that we could turn blindeye to? She has been asked to take rosuvastatin. She has no cholestrol history but she is diabetic. Doctor asked her to take cholestrol meds along with diabetic, even though she has no cholestrol which understandably is to prevent from building of plaque. Please, share your thoughts. Thank you. Smit
Mon, 3 Jun 2024
Hi,
From your description, it is suggestive that your mother might have had a myocardial infarction. Since she is a diabetic, she might not experience the typical chest pain. Without seeing the ECG image, it is difficult to comment on the diagnosis.
However, significant Q waves in inferior leads (II, III, aVF) can be suggestive of an evolved or a past inferior wall MI. The differentiation between an evolved and past MI has to be confirmed with cardiac enzymes like Troponin (elevated in evolved MI since it is acute). Additionally, an echocardiogram and treadmill test has to be done to assess the cardiac function. Further, the cardiologist decides whether she has to undergo an angiogram or not.
In case of myocardial infarction, patient should be started on anti-platelets (prevent blood clots), statins (control atherosclerosis) and should maintain strict glycemic control. Depending on the ventricular function, heart rate and blood pressure, she may be started on drugs which protect the heart from ventricular remodeling (complication of MI).
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Devi Venugopal Rita, Internal Medicine Specialist
From your description, it is suggestive that your mother might have had a myocardial infarction. Since she is a diabetic, she might not experience the typical chest pain. Without seeing the ECG image, it is difficult to comment on the diagnosis.
However, significant Q waves in inferior leads (II, III, aVF) can be suggestive of an evolved or a past inferior wall MI. The differentiation between an evolved and past MI has to be confirmed with cardiac enzymes like Troponin (elevated in evolved MI since it is acute). Additionally, an echocardiogram and treadmill test has to be done to assess the cardiac function. Further, the cardiologist decides whether she has to undergo an angiogram or not.
In case of myocardial infarction, patient should be started on anti-platelets (prevent blood clots), statins (control atherosclerosis) and should maintain strict glycemic control. Depending on the ventricular function, heart rate and blood pressure, she may be started on drugs which protect the heart from ventricular remodeling (complication of MI).
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Devi Venugopal Rita, Internal Medicine Specialist
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