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Keith Roach, MD, syndicated columnist
DEAR DOCTOR. ROACH: I’m a 79-year-old man and in comparatively good well being. I do not take any medicine. I not too long ago visited a heart specialist for some palpitations I have been experiencing. After a overview of my lab exams, historical past and bodily exams, and my EKG, the physician advised me every part appeared fantastic.
A month after this go to, I went into my affected person portal and reviewed the EKG and to my shock it stated there was a septal infarction. I learn on-line that this is usually a silent coronary heart assault. The heart specialist didn’t point out these outcomes at any time, so I known as his workplace and spoke together with his nurse, who conveyed my considerations.
The nurse responded that the physician had rechecked the EKG and the end result was a false optimistic. She stated there was no cause to fret or repeat the EKG. What do you assume? – Nameless.
ANSWER: An electrocardiogram is a really helpful, cheap and non-invasive option to receive details about the guts. Sadly, the outcomes should not at all times definitive.
I reviewed the EKG you despatched me and you’ve got a sample known as QS in leads V1 and V2 ( wires that connect with the chest). Though this may increasingly point out a coronary heart assault within the septum (the a part of the guts between the ventricles), this isn’t the case about 80% of the time.
I agree along with your heart specialist that it’s extremely unlikely to signify a critical situation comparable to a coronary heart assault, particularly given your glorious general well being. Nevertheless, should you have been my affected person, the subsequent time I got here in, I might in all probability recheck the EKG paying shut consideration to the position of the leads. If the irregular discovering disappeared, you will be 100% positive that this ECG discovering doesn’t signify a coronary heart assault.
DEAR DOCTOR. ROACH: Is there any reality to the idea that there are extra hospital admissions or emergency room visits throughout a full moon? —NDG
ANSWER: As much as 40% of medical employees imagine the moon impacts emergency room visits and admissions, however the definitive reply is not any. A number of massive research have proven that there isn’t a correlation with the quantity or sort of emergency room visits throughout a full moon. One in all my ER colleagues tells me that she thinks ER employees do not actually imagine it and that it is simply an expression individuals say once they’re busy. I am not satisfied that is the case for everybody.
People are excellent at discovering patterns, so good that we frequently see them even when they aren’t there. I can attest to the truth that throughout a very busy evening within the ER, somebody will usually say that it should be a full moon. Instances when there was really a full moon have a tendency to bolster the idea, whereas instances when there was no full moon are typically forgotten.
Cautious commentary with goal endpoints is critical to show or disprove this speculation. It is ironic that even individuals who use science on a regular basis could make this error.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Roach regrets that he can’t reply to particular person letters, however will incorporate them into the column at any time when attainable. Readers can e-mail inquiries to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or ship mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803.