Septal infarct from electric shock???

RJ & Elisha,

Thanks for your info.  They found the septal infarct on an EKG but she did not trust it, even though I have tachycardia and orthpnea episodes, because of my age.  I'm only 35 and recently got out of the Army so I'm in great physical condition.  I have an appt on 29 June to get a holter monitor.  The EKG also mentioned that I have not an absence of R wave, but something to that effect.  Because I am in Radiography school, I know what the QRS wave is but have had little luck in finding info on the internet about problems with the R wave.

These are all recent symptoms, within 3 months.  No medicine, as of yet.

Also, I had a serious electric shock about a year ago from an electrical outlet.  It was enough to cause a 2nd degree electrical burn to my hand.  The ER told me to watch out for heart issues because of it.  Have you heard any truth to that?

Michelle

Michelle,

I totally agree with Augoldminer.

An across the heart shock could probably only occur if your non-injured hand was grounded, or possibly if your feet were grounded. If a person is contacting electrical current through one hand, with the opposite hand grounded, then the current can and will pass across your heart and do damage, depending on the amount of current. It should have already showed up, probably as an abnormal heart rhythm. 120 volt outlets can deliver a lethal shock.

Remember that an EKG is all electrical. A good 12 lead EKG (the best EKG) only traces electrical signals as they originate and travel across the atria, then down to the ventricles. These signals are plotted against time and actually have 4 lines of charts to interpret in relation to time. The R wave is simply when the left and right ventricle receive the signal (electrical) to contract. It's importance is when it is compared to the "QRS Complex". The peak of the R wave is also important.

Some EKG equipment may be out of calibration and/or the tech is not placing the electrical sensors correctly. Some doctors cannot interpret them correctly, especially a non-cardiologist. I have a very hairy chest. Many times I will be shaved where the sensors go. Many times I will not be shaved. This is due to having them performed in different offices and/or hospitals. They ALWAYS shave before a stress test.

Good luck and GO ARMY !!!!!

Rj