I Have “Non Diagnostic St Depression” on a Stress Test Report, What Does It Mean?
Question by : I have “non diagnostic st depression” on a stress test report, what does it mean?
I am 52 year old woman who had a stress test for PVCs (had them for 13 years). I take verapamil (240mg) once a day. I just don’t understand the results. Also, what is ventricular ectopy, does that mean pvc? I don’t think my family doctor knows how to read this report and now has scared me half to death!
Best answer:
Answer by J B
Non-diagnostic ST depression means that the waveform on the graphing paper shows the ST segment below the baseline and can be indicative of ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart). Because the results are non-diagnostic, it means there may be other causes for this (such as a metabolic imbalance) and not necessarily that there is any problem with the heart.
Ventricular ectopy is caused by an alteration in the electrical conduction of the heart and for the most part, causes little or no problems when managed with medications. It is a “premature (comes early) ventricular contraction” which means the ventricles are firing/contracting a little before they should. Only when this becomes constant, gives you chest pressure/pain with shortness of breath do you need to seek immediate medical attention. Otherwise, since you have had this for years, medications control most of your symptoms and it is something you live with. And, to ease your mind, all EKG’s are also read by cardiologists and if their interpretation is different than your physician’s, they would let your doctor know.
Answer by beheeled1605
With normal electrical conduction of the heart, the signal originates from the SA node. A PVC occurs when an electrical signal originates from somewhere in there ventricles (ventricular ectopy). Most PVCs are harmless though you may experience heart palpitations or an unusual feeling of your heart beating. Although in people with underlying heart disease, PVCs could cause additional concerns. Which would explain why you are having stress tests and are taking medications (to make sure the PVCs remain harmless). The website has a good explanation. http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/arrhythmias/a/PVC.htm
Sometimes, depending on the extent of the ST depression, this can indicate coronary artery disease which can decrease the amount of bloodflow the heart receives. Verapamil is used for high blood pressure, chest pain, and some heart rhythm disorders.
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