Abnormal repolarization?

[Muppie]

Hello all

Just wondering if anyone can help with the details my cardiologist has put in the letter to my GP.

I've been having lots of dizzy and fainting spells and had a 24 HR holter monitor.

My GP then referred me to a cardiologist at the hospital as it was mentioned that my heart rate is often very low.

I have been to see them and an now due to go for an MRI cardiac stress perfusion test.

I have also received a copy of the letter the cardiologist has sent to my gp.

From what I can understand of it everything looks ok but he has said " abnormal repolarization with the T-waves not becoming upright until lead v5." I can't figure out what this means. Does anyone her know? Is it just a funny way of saying my heart rate is low or is this something else? I'd like to understand it a bit better as my parents both died suddenly of heart related things fairly young and I'd like to know if this could be something you'd maybe see in what was wrong with either of my parents hearts.

Thanks

[Lezzers]

You could ring or e mail the BHF nurses, they're always very helpful

[Muppie in reply to Lezzers]

Hi Lezzers, thanks for your reply. I didn't know you could do that! Thank you 😊

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! As Lezzers had suggested it would be a good idea to ring the BHF nurses. I know a fair bit about the plumbing (arteries and valves) of the heart but far less about the electrics that control the heart beat (12 lead ECG outputs are exceedingly complex). A T-wave issue can have many causes from an electrolyte imbalance to some form of heart disease. Your ongoing tests are to establish the cause of this so the appropriate treatment can be given as necessary.

You mention a low heart rate - how low is this? People vary tremendously and the typical resting HR (heart rate) is between 60 and 100 BPM. Fitter people (and some with heart conditions) may be in the 50's or even 40's. The former Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain's was 27!

[Muppie in reply to MichaelJH]

Hello and thank you Michael. My heart rate is normally on average resting around 48 to 52. I know it's normal to go low whilst asleep and they said on my Holter monitor showed as low as 35 at times during the night.

I'm not very fit at all and a bit overweight and 45. My parents both had left ventricular hypertrophy which we didn't know about till they died.

My dad died of heart failure and LVH and my mum had atrial fibrillation and LVH.

Thanks 😊

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Muppie]

The good thing is you are on the radar and being checked. Whilst you wait on further tests try to eat healthily (e.g. Mediterranean diet) which will also help you lose that little bit of weight. I would normally say exercise (particularly walking) more but think you should talk to your GP first as it may be inappropriate for the time being. Smoking (you probably do not), and excessive caffeine, chocolate and alcohol can all affect heart rhythm so are best avoided.

[LaceyLady]

Yes, definitely ring the nurses. I’ve been reading up what happens and Think I saw ‘polarisation’ is to do with the electrical connections. Magnets have polarity. Think it may be the polarity go’s wrong meaning the electrical circuit misfires.

But Anyway, ring the nurses.