What are "P" waves?

I just had my second pacemaker check since getting it. During the testing, everyone came into the room to look at and check out my readings. They told me that my "P" waves were really long (like this was very unusual). I didn't know what to make of this information. Does anyone know just WHAT a "P" wave is, and is it something that I should be concerned about?

Barb (thanks)

6 Comments

P Wave

by SMITTY - 2007-09-17 11:09:18

Hello Barb,

The various waves and intervals of the heart beat as shown on an EKG tracing is a very complicated subject for my simple mind. But I think I am correct in saying the P wave is the measure of the length of time it takes the electrical impulse generated by the hearts natural pacemaker to travel from one point in your heart to another. These points are called the AV node which is an area of specialized tissue between the atria and the ventricles of the heart, which conducts the normal electrical impulse from the atria to the ventricles. This time interval is usually about 0.1 seconds.

So an abnormally long P wave occurs whenever it takes extra time for the electrical wave to complete its journey. Also this extra time requirement can mean left atrial enlargement.

In spite of what I said above, I think having a long P wave is nothing for you to be concerned about unless your cardiologist tells you it is a problem. With that said probably the best thing for you to do is check with your doctor and tells him why you are asking

I can see where a long P wave could make getting the optimum pacemaker setting for you a little more difficult and that is probably the reason for so much interest of your long P waves during the checkup. I will also say that I think those people making such an issue of your long P waves and not explaining in detail to you what it is are a bunch of inconsiderate imbeciles.

Wish you the best,

Smitty

Close, but not exactly correct

by ecurb13 - 2007-09-18 01:09:20

First of all the "P" wave is created when you right atrium contracts. What I think you are talking about that is long, is the "PR" interval. I think that is what the delay Smitty is talking about. In other words, when the atrium conracts (P wave), there is a delay down through the heart to the ventricles (QRS wave). In other words, there is a delay from the top of your heart contracting, to the bottom of your heart contracting. I don't know what your condition is, but I am familiar with EKG's. I have never heard of a really long "P" wave. It's most likely a long PR interval, also know as a first degree heart block. I hope i didn't confuse you, normally first degree heart blocks are not a problem. I don't know why you had a PM put in, I'm just hoping to give informaton you can ask you doctor on your next visit.

Correct comment

by Vicens - 2007-09-18 06:09:07

Ecurb's comment is totally correct. P waves may be almost inexistent, and that's why one needs a PM.
The longer your PR interval is less heart's beats per minute.
Bye

RE:

by blessed - 2007-09-18 08:09:31

Good morning!! I read this post and just wanted to add another aspect to the answers already given. Make sure you ask your cardiologist why you have a PM and ask them to explain to you exactly what that means for you. I just had a class on intrepreting ECG's(or called EKG-exact same thing which means looking at ONLY the electrical conducting of your heart) and one thing stood out to me as I read what you asked and the answers you received. First degree block CAN be more dangerous than second or third degree-you have to take into account everything that is going on. There is a false security that if you have first degree block that you are better off than someone in third degree and that is not true. Also having a PM does not protect you against having or develpoing other heart issues such a blocked arteries or heart attack. The best thing as I said before is to ask your own Dr. what your ECG means for you. Take care~

Correction

by SMITTY - 2007-09-18 12:09:58

Hey Barb,

It's me again. I want to correct something Ecurb13 said in their reply. Ecurb13 said “I think that is what the delay Smitty is talking about.” That is not correct because the truth is I did not know what the heck I was talking about.

Actually what I said in my reply was a “cut & paste” job from one article I read. I also read another article with the exact information Ecurb13 gave. Since, to me, these were contradictory, it was then I realized that I was in over my head and I made the disclaimer at the beginning of my reply. I also had it reconfirmed that informaiton available on the interent cannot make any of us, or at least me for certain, an expert in the various fields of medicine.

When it is all said and done, I think the key is for you to ask your cardiologist about all this. Also, I think you should certainly tell the doctor about the activities of the people during your PM checkup.

Anyway, I’m glad others are available to provide the correct information.

Smitty

I Agree

by ecurb13 - 2007-09-21 12:09:28

Two things that Smitty said I totally agree with. First, don't believe everything you read on this site or any other internet site. Second, read and take these posts for what they are worth. ASK YOUR DOCTOR! I hope I didn't affend anyone. It sounds like smitty was just posting information he had read on the net. From my experiences, first degree heart blocks are not normally a problem (Short term), but they CAN develop into more serious problems. I have never seen or read about anyone needing a pacemaker because of a first degree heart block (maybe I'm wrong). Pacemakers are usually needed for more serious heart blocks, such as 2nd or 3rd degree blocks. ASK YOU DOCTOR! They may also be needed for sick sinius syndrome (SSS), rapid atrial fibs (AFIB) or any number of other problems. Please don't take my word for anyhthing, please ASK YOUR DOCTOR if you have any questions about why your pacemaker was put in. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask me.....

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