ECG Strain Pattern?

Happy (and safe) New Year's, all!!!
Had a routine annual yesterday with my internist. An ECG showed a "strain pattern" that was explained as consistent with left ventricular hypertrophy, which is associated with stiffening, etc. She advised I watch my BP (it goes up and down right now) and I may end up back on meds for htn.
Am normally not preoccupied with info that did not lead to an immediate referral to an ER or call for paramedics (good sign, right? (smile)). However, this year I lost my younger brother to a sudden heart attack and he was thought to have been in good health.

Question: can an ECG with a nine-lead give a misleading or incomplete pattern and can it just be picking up some conduction issues that caused me to have the PM (Medtronic mri-compatible) in the first place? Am making an appt. with my EP as soon as they open after the holiday.
Thanks in advance!

1 Comments

Left ventricular strain pattern

by Selwyn - 2015-01-01 08:01:40

No sure about 9 lead ECGs- never used one.
I have an abnormal ECG due to left ventricular hypertrophy ( apical). This has been confirmed on a 12 lead ECG and ECHO cardiogram ( at least 3 times!)

There are many other changes that can mimic a left ventricular strain pattern ( eg. poor electrode placement, thin chest wall, pericarditis, inferior myocardial ischaemia etc.) The pacemaker is not relevant. My strain pattern is probably related to long standing exercise. Prognostically, it is of no significance.

You need an echocardiogram to confirm the diagnosis.
Sorry to hear about your brother. Best to make sure it is not hereditary, such as raised cholesterol, or a cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome. 'Heart Attack' is a loose term for heart illness- your brothers illness needs more explanation for your own safety.

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It is just over 10 years since a dual lead device was implanted for complete heart block. It has worked perfectly and I have traveled well near two million miles internationally since then.