heart attack noted on discharge ecg

[Marvel3000]

Morning All,

First time poster so bear with me.

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?

[Carlg]

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.

[Marvel3000 in reply to Carlg]

Thankyou. I think I will ring my Cardiac team a ring.

[andybarn]

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.

[Zbignieva]

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.

[Silvertail]

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.

[Marvel3000]

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

[MyJinksy]

Hi, I had a similar experience, however I was never on a cardiac ward or met the specialist who put in the stent. I was admitted to a short term ward after abnormal ECG done by ambulance after a fall. I was on this ward for 3 days then was taken for an ultra sound of my chest at 10.30 am got back to the ward where a nurse and orderly was waiting put back in the bed and whisked down to theatre. I was sent home at 3.30 pm with a bag of medicines. No one mentioned heart attack or very much really. The nurses were lovely, but did not say anything except when to take the medicines, I did not even know that I should have been in the cardiac ward. I found out I had a LAD from the rehab exercise nurse 9 weeks later. Since then I have not had any check ups from the hospital, but I do get a blood test for my thyroid. No one has mentioned needing any other blood tests. That was all done 5 years ago last April.

[Marvel3000 in reply to MyJinksy]

Wow that was quick treat and leave for you. It is interesting to know you dis not anyone fro cardiac talk with you nor have a cardiologist your under. However also pleasing to know you don't need one it seems as things are settled. I'm coming up to the 2 years mark of my treatment but unfortunately in my case it's still ongoing 🙁

[MyJinksy in reply to Marvel3000]

Hi Sorry to hear yours is still ongoing. I don't know if I have a problem as I still get very breathless while walking. I cant walk up a slight incline without having to stop. I really do not know where to turn as I thought I was supposed to get liver and other tests as others on the site talk about but nothing. Getting a GP appointment here is as difficult as everywhere else.

It just might be me - funny story I was called up to the nurse a few months ago to have a diabetes blood test. I asked her why and she read my notes, looked at me then back at the notes then in a confused tone asked me how old the baby was. I replied my daughter is 27 at which point she laughed as it was a Gestational diabetes follow up.

I also asked her about the heart and she did not know as all she does is take blood and advised me to call the doctors for that information. I haven't heard back.

[Marvel3000 in reply to MyJinksy]

Oh my gosh that is hilarious. 27 years later!!! Lol

I would definitely ask to be referred to cardiology with those symptoms. Is it something your G.P can do for you? Yes getting an appt is a nightmare. The when you get there explaining symptoms get you more confused when they suggest it maybe to do with something else. I always end up second guessing myself. I know they want to cover all bases but sometimes it's an unwanted delay. Breathlessness is a nightmare I've been trying to resolve since having the pacemaker 😫

Hope you can get seen soon.