Ecg rule out chances of potential cardiac problems.

[Cmacd1992]

I have recently had an ECG done that came back completely normal, I was wondering does this safely rule out chances of for example cardiac arrest or is this something that only picks up issues at the time of them happening?

[Maisie2014]

I had an ECG that was completely normal after having what I thought was s heart attack. A week later after having another heart attack another ECG came back normal. Eventually I was believed and had a stent fitted. Unfortunately they are not foolproof.

[Cmacd1992 in reply to Maisie2014]

I have had quite a few over the past few months and was just wondering if it only showed issues at the time or if it would pick up potential future problems such as cardiac arrest as this is caused by the hearts electrical circuit.

[Urssy]

I've had more than a few ecgs now all normal. They didn't pick up the blocked LAD. The echo was also good as was the x-ray. It was only the CT scan that showed a prob.

[Cmacd1992 in reply to Urssy]

Thanks for the response I am awaiting an echocardiogram to be done

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I am always been wary of a resting ECG as despite four baldly blocked arteries my ECGs have never shown any issues - you don't say what type you had. A friend had a heart attack three days after being passed fit following a company medical that included a resting ECG. Was yours a resting or stress one?

The thing everybody has to remember current results are no guarantee of future results particularly if lifestyle changes, including medication, are not adhered to.

[Cmacd1992 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for the reply, it was a resting ECG I have had maybe 4 over the past 6 months all came back normal also had X-Ray and blood tests all came back clear. Awaiting for an echocardiogram to be done but was told not to worry by doctors as heart sounds fine and ecgs are normal just wondering if this is correct or if ecgs could still be wrong

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Cmacd1992]

As with Urssy above only additional tests showed the severe blockages. These were angiogram that showed the blockages and a CT scan that showed extensive calcification. Stress ECG would probably have shown issues but symptoms were too severe for this!

[Cmacd1992 in reply to MichaelJH]

The thing is whenever I ask for additional tests I keep getting told these are not required because an ECG has been done and that my age/history etc doesn’t show any heart issues and my symptoms are not as severe as others I suppose.

[Urssy in reply to Cmacd1992]

I think you have to keep asking. Especially if your not happy or having symptoms.

More than once i felt as if i was being fobbed off...that it was just anxiety/stress etc.

But i just knew there was something wrong.

Took a whole year

A whole year of GP prescribing rampirl for high BP (which was not really high, average 135/ 90) which the hospital then took me off about a month ago and my BP has been normal since.

A whole year of the normal ecgs scans etc.

It's a bit not a slow process, from my view but finally I'm getting somewhere.

Good luck!

[Cmacd1992 in reply to Urssy]

Yes I will keep been persistent as my symptoms haven’t stopped and it is affecting my every day life but I don’t feel that my doctor is taking me seriously and has also mentioned it must be anxiety but has not have me anything for it. Again thank you for responding

[Hidden in reply to Urssy]

Anything over 120/80 needs to be lowered:

[sabb in reply to Cmacd1992]

You have to keep asking. I suggest also you bring a witness with you when you see GP/consultants. Learning from my mistakes, doctors are always more responsive to your requests and concerns when you are not on your own. Also, even under the NHS, you have the right to a second opinion from another consultant. My personal experience: only an angiogram showed 3 arteries totally blocked, despite regular yearly checkups (including blood tests and ECGs) showing everything was normal. Had to have triple bypass at 50yo. Consider going private if you can afford it. You’ve got only one life!

[Deanosbeano]

Usually get ECG and blood tests , I believe something called triglycerides are the tell tale iirc

Keep on at them but also be aware GERD or acid reflux mimics heart problems to the extent they are indistinguishable including jaw and shoulder pains as well as chest .

[MissP77]

I had multiple ECGs and a 4 day heart monitor, bloods, all came back clear. I kept pushing until I had an echocardiogram at which point my mitral valve regurgitation was discovered and diagnosed.

I say listen to your body and keep pushing the medical teams

[Qualipop]

Went to Urgent care last Sunday with bad palpitations, heart fluttering and racing. By the time I'd sat and waited for 2 hours, ECG was completely normal. IT only measures what's happening during that couple of minutes.

[Cmacd1992 in reply to Qualipop]

This is what I was thinking so wasn’t really understanding how the doctors can rule out heart issues with just an ECG been done. I was the same last time at a&e had severe chest pain however by the time I was seen by the doctor everything had passed and the ECG was normal.

[Qualipop]

You need a 24 hour holter monitor

[MissP77 in reply to Qualipop]

Interestingly, for me, my heart monitor came back all clear too! Even though my palpitations were so strong they would move a towel round my neck or my partner could feel it through the mattress! I also had an irregular heart beat and breathlessness. For 2 years they told me it was my asthma and I was too young for heart problems.... then they did the echocardiogram and had to apologise profusely!!!

[Qualipop]

When my husband had a pre op for hand surgery the ECG showed a possible electrical problem but further tests showed nothing. Waiting for results now of a 24 hour monitor. AN ECG can show heart disease or a heart attack but doesn't catch things that only happen for a while.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Cmacd 1992,

I live with vasospastic angina.

When I have no pain my ECGs are normal. During my last hospital admission the nurse performed consecutive ECGs as my spasm and chest pain took place.

My ECG changed showing signs that the spasm was reducing the blood supply to my heart. T wave inversions and then ST depressions.....the Consultant was so impressed that he called for the ECG machine and performed another ECG himself.

I had to be persistent to get my diagnosis as all the conventional tests for angina I had were normal accept my very specialised angiogram.

I hope you find the answers to your symptoms and the appropriate treatment soon