AboutDavid Richardson Expertise Adult heart function and disease. Not very good about children lesss than 12. Hypertension is o.k. Heart rhythm a special interest.
Experience Certified in cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Was chairman of division of cardiology at the Medical College of Virginia. Am now mostly retired.
Organizations Fellow of American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology and member of American Physiological Society..
Publications Circulation, American Heart Journal, Hypertension.
Education/Credentials M.D. from Harvard Medical School. Residency training at Yale Uhniversity School of Medicine and Medical College of Virginia.
Awards and Honors Gold Heartt Award from American Heart Association in 1995.
My 'Q' waves in 'V1, V2' are downward as you say but upward in 'V3'.
I also have had this result written on my EKG, as well as 1st degree block.
I do wonder if you would have a look at my EKG as I am a bit worried, not having an immediate appt. I was scheduled for a surgery but it is now on hold.
Thank you,
E Beggelman
ANSWER: Sure, Ms. Beggelman. Send me your email address via AllExperts and I'll send instructions about getting the EKG to me.
David Richardson
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Dr Richardson,
I have 2 questions embedded in the text below.
You may recall my earlier question about being sent for a treadmill test with a PR interval of .234 (1st degree AV block)
and Q waves in V1 and V2 after a resting ECG for a routine pre-op, no other ECGs available. This original ECG was done by a technician in a radiology dept. of a local hospital who knew nothing of ECGs outside of her rudimentary training.
I have now done the treadmill test at a cardiology office and the Q waves in V1 remain. The Q2 electrode was placed above the 4th Intercostal space due to the use of ultrasound so I have no measure to report in that sector.
The cardiologist was understated but the technician answered all questions during the test. He reported a slight
leakiness in the tricuspid and mitral valves that the cardioloigist later termed 'physiological' when prompted for information.
Question 1) Can you tell me what he meant by the latter.
Otherwise it looks as if I am fine as I went 12:59 with 184 bpm and good BP. I found a report on the internet that stated QS waves in V1 and V2 are non events in 80% of cases. The cardiologist I saw said that 50-50 was more accurate.
I am a bit baffled at having to go through all this as the whole experience has been very anxiety producing for both my family and me.
Question 2) Do you think that the original test (at a local hospital) was poorly administered and should the test center be avoided in the future?
Thank you again. You have been a great help.
Answer Elaine, Q in V1 and V2 is normal, 90 %, i think, because often the chest leads are placed too high on the chest.
1. "Physiological" means normal, Most of us have trivial mitral and tricuspid leaks. It takes a little time for the leaflets to close after the ventricles start to contract, and some blood leaks backward into the atria until the leaflets close.
2. Yes. That EKG caused unnecessary anxiety and money.
Please write back any time you think I could help.
