Collapsed a few weeks ago taken to hospital. 2 days in resus as heart rate in low 30's then transfered to Ward awaiting a cardiac bed. Moved to Cardiac Ward awaiting transfer to another hospital for a possible pacemaker. Heart rate now fluctuating between 30 to 150. before transfer told don't need pacemaker need catheter ablation as heart has 2 conduction pathways not one. OK off we go. Get to new hospital told no actually don't have said additional pathway need further tests. OK let's do that but please someone figure it out as been inpatient now for 14 days. Overnight heart rate dropped to 20 so next morning emergency procedure done - fitted with a dual chamber pacemaker. Diagnosis sick sinus syndrome plus Atrial Fibrillation.
Sent home with a follow up due in 6 weeks. That's the story so far.
just braved reading discharge notes. On my discharge ecg it says lateral myocardial infarction- abnormal ecg. Of course googled it & shows it means heart attack. So does that mean I suffered a heart attack and no one told me?
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Marvel3000
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Unfortunately, I cannot give you the answer. But understanding your notes are important. There were questions I had after my operation and found it best to ring the ward or your consultant to gain answers you need.
A copy of the discharge should also go to your doctor who may be able to interpret.
I think heart attack is a far too general term to be used by the cardiac specialists. I had nagging heart pains (after pushing my motorbike) and ended up having a stent inserted. No-one said to me that i had a heart attack - they just described what was actually wrong.
ECG is a great test, when performed and interpreted correctly. That is far more difficult than you would think, medical journals are always providing odd ECG for continuing professional development points.
There are some automatic interpretations on ECGs that are always wrong and artefactual, and these can vary from person to person.
If you collapsed, they should have run a series of tests called troponin T or troponin I, one on admission and one at least 6 hours later.
A significantly elevated second trop warrants further investigation and/or confirmation of a myocardial infarction(MI).
I would ask the cardiac team to assist you, but I wouldn’t be surprised right now if you were not informed, or not informed of what happened to you in a clear and understandable manner.
On one of my ECGs it had 'old myocardial infarction, and some other conditions I cannot now remember. My cardiologist said I hadn't. He said, "We don't believe everything that is printed on an ECG -you can't always believe a computer reading. We read the actual form ourselves." This is just my experience, I'm not saying it applies to all.
Thankyou all I agree pretty sure if it was something drastic worth mentioning theu would have. I will asask the question whej i see them face to face just for my own personal knowledge and understanding
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