AboutTodd Bublitz, RCEP Expertise I can answer questions on Cholesterol & Lipids, Cardiac Rehabilitation, and
preventive cardiology. I can also explain the risk factors for
cardiovascular disease and most cardiac diagnostic tests and procedures.
Experience
Professional Experience Former Lipid Clinic Coordinator for large Cardiology practice. Seventeen years experience in Cardiac Rehabilitation and risk factor modification. Researcher in cardiovascular exercise, cardiac function and cardiac testing.
Developed and maintain Lipid-Clinic.com
Also, Nuclear Cardiology Research Organizations National Lipid Association
American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA)
Rocky Mountain Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Association (RMCRA)
Education/Credentials Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist by ACSM Certified as 'Exercise Specialist' by ACSM
Question During a trip to the ER I was given an EKG. The doctor there told me it came back normal. When I received a copy of the report it said low voltage QRS and also said borderline ECG. Would you please explain what this means. Thanks!
Answer Cheryl,
Computerized EKG machines attempt to analyze and interpret EKG's. They are often incorrect or over analyze the EKG. This is why a qualified physician reviews and corrects (if necessary) the interpretation.
The computer makes it analysis based upon a textbook perfect and normal EKG pattern. Not many people will have such a textbook perfect and normal EKG. Therefore, any slight difference between your EKG pattern and this "perfect and normal" pattern may cause the computer to say "borderline ECG" - even though your EKG may be just fine and normal for you.
Different people will have slightly different EKGs (almost like finger prints). A tall thin person will have a noticeably different EKG than a short round person. People with large and round chests may have "low QRS voltage" due to their large body size. The more tissue there is for the EKG voltage to have to travel through, the lower the voltage appears on the EKG tracing. A low QRS voltage on an obese person is not unusual, but the computer does not take this into account. If you are a skinny person with a low QRS voltage, this may be something that the doctor has to review.
These two items probably mean absolutely nothing, but you will have to ask your doctor to explain why the interpretation says what is does.
