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You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Medical Specialists > Heart & Cardiology > Should i be worried?
Expert: David Richardson - 11/6/2009
Question
I'm 35 with Type II Diabetes, overweight by about 30 pounds and sinus tachy, high triglycerides and cholestrol. I was reviewing an ECG. It said enlarged atrial enlargement and septal infarcy, age undetermined. Abnormal ECG. Vent rate: 98bpm, PR interval 146ms, QRS duration 64ms, QT/QTC 334/426ms, P-R-T axes 62, 50, 38. What does all this mean? Should i see a cardiologist regularly? Should i be concerned with just the sinus tachy? Also, I abused many drugs including crack, cocaine, heroin, alcohol etc... for many years. I know this has damaged my body.
Thanks for your help!
Answer
Dear Leigh,
Left atrial enlargement means the upper chamber of the heart, probably the left heart, is larger than normal. Septal infarct means a heart attack involving the wall of the heart that divides the left and right ventricles (the lower chambers). But it's easy for an EKG to be mistaken about that, if the leads are placed too high on the chest. The rest of it is normal. Yes, you should see a cardiologist at least once, probably regularly. The sinus tachy is no reason for concern. Cocaine can lead to a heart attack. What's the difference between crack and cocaine?
Please write back if this note doesn't answer all your questions.
David Richardson
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