By: jadey

jadey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:49:59 +0000

There is a lot of information here to cover. I’ll try to explain the main points but if you need more info just ask. Your 24 hour ECG (Holter monitor) results show extreme bradycardia. Bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heartrate. A normal heartrate is about 60-100 bpm at rest. Of course, your heartrate should increase with exercise and it can slow quite a bit when you are sleeping. In your case, your mean (average) heartrate over a 24 hour period is 38 bpm and this is much too slow (extreme bradycardia). The symptoms you describe can be attributed to this condition. You may also feel very fatiqued.
Your doctor’s interpretation of the recording indicates that he/she saw no atrial activity. The atria are the top chambers of your heart. Normally, a heartbeat originates above the atria and they contract first before the ventricles which are the bottom chambers of your heart. In your case the doctor did not see atrial activity and mentioned that your heart rhythm is probably junctional. This suggests that your heartbeat is originating below the level of the atria, probably at the level of the junction between the top and bottom chambers of your heart. A pacemaker would be the common recommendation for this condition.
This is a problem with the electrical conduction of your heart only. The doctors’ notes you provided do not indicate any other heart problems, such as blocked arteries.
Your cardiologist will discuss the possibility of a pacemaker insertion and should answer all your questions.
References :
cardio tech

By: gangadharan nair

gangadharan nair — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:01:59 +0000

Blood pressure: 141/83 mmHg. Pulse pressure 141–83 = 58 mmHg. Optimum pulse pressure is 40 mmHg.
Research suggests that an elevated pulse pressure may be a strong predictor of heart problems, especially for older adults. Generally, a pulse pressure greater than 60 mm Hg is abnormal.
He has got Stage 1 Hypertension and Isolated hypertension.
Isolated systolic hypertension, however, is defined as a systolic pressure that is above 140 mm Hg with a diastolic pressure that still is below 90. This disorder primarily affects older people and is characterized by an increased (wide) pulse pressure.
The resting heart rate of a normal person is 60-100 beats per minute (bpm). A well trained athlete has a pulse rate of 40-60 bpm.
Bradycardia, as applied to adult medicine, is defined as a resting heart rate of under 60 beats per minute, though it is seldom symptomatic until the rate drops below 50 beat/min.
During normal atrial depolarization, the main electrical vector is directed from the SA node towards the AV node, and spreads from the right atrium to the left atrium. This turns into the P wave on the ECG.
P waves are absent in
* Atrial fibrillation
* Sinoatrial block
* Hyperkalemia
* Junctional (AV nodal) rhythm, e.g., in sick sinus syndrome.
Please note that I am not a medical professional.
References :
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pulse-pressure/AN00968
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_pressure
http://www.medicinenet.com/high_blood_pressure/page3.htm#isolated
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradycardia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junctional_rhythm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007369.htm
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec07/ch075/ch075b.html#sec07-ch075-ch075b-1076
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec07/ch075/ch075a.html#sec07-ch075-ch075a-1057
http://www.merck.com/media/mmpe/pdf/Table_075-3.pdf
The ECG in Practice by John R. Hampton.

Comments on: ECG results please explain?

By: jadey

By: gangadharan nair