OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Seeking Assistance for Understanding Abnormal EKG Results

4/4/2025, 12:00:43 PMMale25-34

I am a 22-year-old male weighing 160 pounds, and I need assistance deciphering the results of my EKG. It has been flagged as abnormal, and I am eager to determine whether there are any underlying electrical issues or heart problems. Any insights or interpretations of these results would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help!

Irregular HeartbeatCardiologyInternal Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

4/4/2025, 12:01:58 PM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to feel concerned about an abnormal EKG, especially at your age. While I can't diagnose or interpret specific EKG results without seeing them, I can provide you with a general overview of what an abnormal EKG might indicate and some steps you can take.

Key Points:

  1. An abnormal EKG can indicate problems with your heart's electrical activity, but it doesn't always mean you have a serious condition.
  2. Common reasons for abnormal results include stress, electrolyte imbalances, or structural issues, but many young individuals show variability in their EKG without significant health concerns.

Explanation: An EKG (electrocardiogram) measures the electrical currents in your heart, helping to identify issues like irregular heart rhythms, heart enlargement, or previous heart damage. In young adults like yourself, some variations might occur due to increased physical activity or underlying benign conditions. However, it’s crucial to approach any abnormal finding with careful evaluation.

Next Steps:

  1. Monitor Symptoms: Pay attention to how you feel. Note any symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or palpitations.
  2. Follow-Up: Schedule a discussion with your healthcare provider to review your EKG results in detail. Ask about specific changes or measurements that raised concern and what they might mean.
  3. Lifestyle Factors: Maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes regular exercise, balanced nutrition, good hydration, and avoiding excessive caffeine or alcohol.
  4. Ask Questions: When you meet with your healthcare provider, prepare questions regarding your EKG report. Understanding the specific abnormalities can help you feel more at ease and informed.

Being proactive is essential, and I'm here to help guide you through understanding your health better. Let me know if you have any further questions or need clarification on this topic!

Related Questions

Significant Increase in Blood Pressure Over Two Months

Two months ago, on December 10th, 2025, I visited a CVS minute clinic due to a sinus infection, where my blood pressure was recorded at 120/74. However, during a recent visit to my general practitioner for my yearly health examination, my blood pressure soared to an alarming 200/114. The staff measured it multiple times, suspecting an error, even using a different device. The lowest reading captured was still quite high at 191/118. After discussing my situation, the doctor inquired whether I had a blood pressure monitor at home, which I do, and advised me to monitor my readings closely. Currently, after taking multiple readings, the most favorable result was 202/114, which is causing me some concern. - Female, age 39 - Weight: 175 lbs, Height: 5'2" - Non-smoker - Social drinker - No specific dietary restrictions - Sedentary lifestyle - No known family history of heart disease - Currently taking 20mg/day of Escitalopram and 450mg/day of Bupropion for anxiety and depression Online resources suggest that my readings indicate a "hypertensive crisis," a term that sounds rather serious. Despite my weight issues, these figures appear excessively high. I plan to message my GP for a follow-up, but I am wondering how alarmed I should be in the meantime?

High Blood PressureShortness of BreathIrregular Heartbeat
Male25-34
3 hours ago

Concerns About Ear Irrigation at the Pediatrician's Office for My Son

Summary: Can using a spray-type irrigation for ear wax removal harm a five-year-old? My child had a extreme reaction and experienced significant pain during and shortly after the procedure. I have a five-year-old son who suffers from severe allergies to both foods and environmental factors, alongside eczema which is mostly controlled. He takes Famotidine to manage reflux and a daily children's multivitamin, but does not regularly take any other medications. He has no history of surgeries. Although he has consulted with an ENT in the past, I don’t believe this is particularly relevant to the current situation, yet I will provide details later. During a recent well-visit at the pediatrician's office for five-year-olds, my son struggled with the hearing test, which marked the first time he did not perform well. In this examination, he wore headphones that emitted various beeps and was supposed to indicate which ear he heard the sounds from. The staff expressed concerns regarding his performance on the left side. As our assigned provider, the Physician's Assistant (PA) examined his ear and noted the presence of wax, suspecting it might be impeding his hearing. When she attempted to use a plastic curette, my son resisted and stated that it hurt. The PA remarked that the wax was harder than she anticipated, leading her to opt for an irrigation method to remove it. The nurses proceeded to administer some red-tinted drops, which he tolerated other than their cold temperature. A few minutes later, he laid down, and they used a spray bottle to irrigate his ear. At this point, he screamed as though we had never experienced before—he fought against the staff and cried intensely, even holding his breath to the extent that they needed to remind him to breathe. His reaction was reminiscent of when he has sustained a severe injury, such as from a significant fall. His cries of pain made it clear that he was genuinely suffering. After only a few moments, they decided to halt the procedure, presumably realizing that his discomfort was not an act of dramatization, and I was on the verge of stopping them myself due to my rising concern. When he eventually settled down, I inquired about the nature of his pain: whether it was a hot or burning sensation, a sting from the cold water, or a feeling of pressure in his ear. He communicated that it felt like it was going to burst inside, which suggests pressure-related pain. The irrigation attempt did not fully clear the wax they noticed. Now they are recommending that we use Debrox drops daily combined with a warm washcloth pressed against his ear after a steamy bath each night. We are to return in two weeks to check if the wax has been successfully removed and to retest his hearing. Though he appears to be okay now, he is visibly upset due to the discomfort from the procedure, especially since he had begged them to stop. He has also mentioned a sensation of water still being trapped in his ear and has been tilting his head intermittently as if it bothers him. This all transpired today right after the irrigation session. Could the forceful spraying of water have caused any damage to his eardrum, especially considering the intensity of his screams? I have previously experienced a perforated eardrum and am anxious about the potential harm this procedure may have inflicted on him. We avoid using Q-tips and inserting anything into his ears. What preventive measures should we adopt routinely to avoid wax buildup? This marks the second instance of noticeable wax at his pediatric visits, despite him bathing daily. I am puzzled as to why only one side is accumulating wax. Last year, the first attempt at wax removal was successful using a curette. ENT Background: At age three, my son was having trouble sleeping. An ENT suggested a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, although there were no other alarming symptoms to justify the surgery besides his restlessness at night. We sought a second opinion, where the new ENT indicated that while his tonsils appeared fine, his adenoids were mildly enlarged and might be beneficial to remove. However, due to COVID-19 and RSV, the surgery was postponed twice, leading us to reconsider the necessity of the operation. Given that he is now sleeping better, we have yet to pursue surgery thus far. I appreciate you taking the time to read through this lengthy account!

PalpitationsShortness of BreathInternal Medicine
Male25-34
12 hours ago

Experiencing Heart Palpitations When Turning Eyes to the Side?

As a 19-year-old male dealing with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and strabismus, I have recently noticed that I experience heart palpitations when I look sharply to either side. I’m uncertain if there’s a connection between these two issues, but that’s the only link I can draw. Generally, my health is good, although I was born prematurely. The palpitations feel like a combination of fluttering and pounding, and they occur specifically when I shift my gaze dramatically. I discovered this phenomenon somewhat accidentally during my annual eye appointment. Should I be concerned about this, or is it something that can be overlooked?

PalpitationsShortness of BreathIrregular Heartbeat
Male25-34
14 hours ago

Irritating Thumb Spasms

Experiencing bothersome spasms in my thumb during the evening, particularly while using my computer or unwinding at home. I’m a 27-year-old male. Currently, I’m not using any medication for this issue.

Swollen LegsInternal Medicine
Male25-34
17 hours ago

Unexpected Heart Murmur at 24: Concerns About HOCM

At the age of 24, standing at 4'11" and weighing 98 lbs, I've recently been notified by my doctor that I have a slight heart murmur. This diagnosis is noteworthy due to my family history; both my father and grandmother suffered from Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM). I typically have check-ups with my cardiologist every couple of years, though it’s been two years since my last appointment. During that visit, an echocardiogram was performed, which yielded normal results, and there were no murmurs detected—my cardiologist was quite thorough in his examination. Given that my grandmother had a serious surgical procedure and faced significant health challenges, I'm understandably anxious about this new finding. My general practitioner was somewhat vague regarding the specifics of the murmur's location but did mention it during my visit today. Fortunately, I've secured an appointment with my cardiologist next week to explore this matter further and ease my worries.

PalpitationsIrregular HeartbeatCardiology
Male25-34
18 hours ago