What does nonspecific T wave changes mean?

Background: Nonspecific ST and T wave abnormalities (NSSTTA) on resting ECGs are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and portend similar hazard ratios to traditional risk factors, such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus (DM).

Is nonspecific T wave abnormality serious?

Conclusions Persistent, minor, nonspecific ST-T abnormalities are associated with increased long-term risk of mortality due to MI, CHD, CVD, and all causes; the higher the frequency of occurrence of minor ST-T abnormalities, the greater the risk.

What is non specific T wave abnormality?

Maybe the T wave is flat, oddly-shaped or inverted. Maybe the ST segment is coved, very minimally-depressed or shows some J point elevation. These are referred to as “non-specific” T wave and ST segment changes on the ECG because they are simply not specifically signaling any medical condition.

What does abnormal T wave on ECG mean?

Inverted T wave is considered abnormal if inversion is deeper than 1.0 mm. Inverted T waves found in leads other than the V1 to V4 leads is associated with increased cardiac deaths. Inverted T waves associated with cardiac signs and symptoms (chest pain and cardiac murmur) are highly suggestive of myocardial ischaemia.

Are nonspecific ST T wave changes bad?

In the standard surface ECG, nonspecific ST-segment and T-wave (ST-T) changes are a common finding. Recently, a majority of studies have indicated that nonspecific ST-T abnormalities are significantly associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

What causes changes in T waves?

Abnormal T-wave Pathophysiology T wave changes are secondary to electrolyte abnormalities in the myocardium since the ECG is representative of the electricity of the heart. The outflow of potassium from the myocyte during repolarization is necessary to restore resting membrane potential.

Are nonspecific ST T wave changes normal?

ST and T wave changes may represent cardiac pathology or be a normal variant. Interpretation of the findings, therefore, depends on the clinical context and presence of similar findings on prior electrocardiograms. Nonspecific ST-T wave changes are very common and may be seen in any lead of the electrocardiogram.

Can anxiety cause inverted T waves?

A study by Whang et al. (2014) showed that depressive and anxious symptoms were associated with abnormalities in T wave inversions.

What does a normal T wave look like?

The normal shape of a T-wave is asymmetric, with a slow upstroke and a rapid down stroke. Normal T-waves are always upright except in leads aVR and V1 and have a normal QT interval (QTc of 350-440ms in men or 350-460ms in women). Additionally, the R-wave amplitude should progress normally across the precordial leads.

Should I worry about abnormal ECG?

An abnormal ECG can mean many things. Sometimes an ECG abnormality is a normal variation of a heart’s rhythm, which does not affect your health. Other times, an abnormal ECG can signal a medical emergency, such as a myocardial infarction /heart attack or a dangerous arrhythmia.

What do tall T waves indicate?

Tall T waves suggest hyperkalemia, but there are other causes as well, including hyperacute ischemic changes or a normal variant (see Figure 2). In hyperkalemia, the T waves are tall, symmetric, narrow, pointed, and tented as if pinched from above.

Should I worry about inverted T waves?

T-wave inversions in right precordial leads are relatively rare in the general population, and are not associated with adverse outcome. Increased mortality risk associated with inverted T waves in other leads may reflect the presence of an underlying structural heart disease.

What does nonspecific T wave abnormality mean?

The nonspecific T wave abnormality refers to an upward or downward deflection after the spike. Without an old EKG , it is hard to tell if the T wave abnl is new or not.

What is a nonspecific St-T wave change?

Nonspecific ST-T wave changes are very common and may be seen in any lead of the electrocardiogram. The changes may be seen in all or most of the leads (diffuse changes), or they may be present contiguous leads, such as the inferior, lateral, or anterior leads.

What is a non-specific T-wave abnormality?

Adrenal insufficiency

What causes nonspecific St abnormality?

It can be caused by several factors: viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, spirochetes, auto-immune reactions, borreliosis (Lyme’s disease) and HIV/AIDS. Acute peri/myocarditis causes nonspecific ST segment changes. These can be accompanied by supraventricular and ventricular rhythm disturbances and T-wave abnormalities.