EKG Result

I had a regular yearly visit today and saw the cardiac Nurse Practitioner. She didn't mention anything wrong on my EKG and I left thinking everything is fine. When the EKG result was posted in my Health Portal and I took a look at it later today, the result says Sinus Rhythm Borderline Axis Deviation so now I'm quite worried. I left a message for a nurse to call me so I can find out more information, but it was almost five so I won't get a call back until tomorrow. Some of you seem very knowledgeable about heart conditions. Does anyone have experience with this and should I be concerned? Thanks for any information anyone can provide.


5 Comments

Borderline axis deviation

by Rch - 2022-08-02 03:05:28

I wouldn't be overly concerned about the borderline axis deviation on an otherwise normal ECG. Nonetheless I would compare this with previous ECGs to see if it's new.

However, if you do have any chronic shortness breath, Hypertension etc, please consult with your PCP, 

 

A few helpful links

by Gemita - 2022-08-02 11:13:34

NBLEISEY, hello, hope by now you have received an answer from your nurse and have been reassured about your borderline Axis Deviation.  With any ECG reading you have to see the whole picture before you can make an assessment of the result.

If you wish to read about axis, I attach a few links.  You will see there are a number of causes of axis abnormalities. Your doctor will assess the importance of any finding as it relates to your condition so please do not worry about those numbers.  Seen in isolation they may not mean very much at all and after all, your ECG does read “borderline axis deviation".

Cardiac axis gives us an idea of the overall direction of electrical activity.  In healthy individuals, the axis should lie between -30° and +90º.  Axis deviation can be caused by many conditions, including pacing itself I was told and bundle branch blocks.  See end of links for other possible causes. 

https://www.medicalexamprep.co.uk/the-basics-of-ecg-interpretation-part-2-rate-rhythm-and-axis/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470532/

https://geekymedics.com/what-is-cardiac-axis/

To add to Gemita's post

by AgentX86 - 2022-08-02 20:32:07

This is where the start of the ventricular contraction starts. Zero degrees is toward the left ventrical.  This is measured by looking at the differences between the QRS complex on two or three sets of the leads. If both lead-I an lead-aVF are positive on the EKG, the axis is normal. If one is positive and the other negative it means things aren't so right and if they're both negative, things may be very wrong (or the EKG is hooked up backwards). Any deviation outside the normal range isn't an emergency, rather is reason for looking further.

This can fast get into the weeds but it's a measure of the health of the heart.

EKG Result

by Nbleisey@gmail.com - 2022-08-02 20:34:45

Thanks so much, Rch, Gemita, AgentX86. I appreciate your kind words. The nurse did contact me and they're not concerned at all. She said it has shown on all my EKGs. It was just the first time I had seen it. I appreciate the links and will definitely read up. Thanks again.

PLEASE DON'T SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE HERE! :)

by Advaita - 2022-09-02 00:36:38

Dear Friend!  I understand your concerns, I really do. And, just a friendly reminder that this is NOT a place to seek medical advice or opinions. Your cardiologist is the one to ask for medical advice, always. People here are really wonderful and happy to share their experiences. However, to my knowledge they are not qualified to give you the kind of advice you are seeking. Please...go to your doctor and if you lose faith in one doctor, go to another one! We are just people on the internet who happen to have PM's but we have them for many different reasons and situations. To some extent, each person's situation is unique. OK, enough preaching! I'm posting this out of concern for your well being. :)

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