Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I had an anxiety breakdown six months ago. In that time due to chest pain and palpitations, I have had six ECGs, all normal. I also had a 24-hour ECG which came back with the following results:
Normal sinus rhythm.
No arrhythmia was seen.
Two premature beats.
Short PR interval noted. No Delta wave seen, no WPW morphology.
My general practitioner classed this as normal, no further action is required. I am concerned that they missed something and that further tests are required. I see short PR linked to some nasty things but also as a normal variant. Why was it on my 24-hour ECG but not on other ECGs? Currently, I am taking Lansoprazole.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I read your query and understand your concern.
Your 24-hour ECG (electrocardiogram) looks very normal (attachment removed to protect the patient’s identity). Every normal human being can have such skipped beats once in a while. It should not be a concern. You need to investigate your anxiety. Also, check thyroid function tests. If they are normal, get in touch with a psychotherapist who can advise you regarding antianxiety medications. If there is associated chest pain and if you want to rule out any major thing, you can consider undergoing coronary angiography, which is really not required. These ECG findings are perfectly normal to have.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you for consulting me.
You can always come back and reach me at icliniq.com.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thanks for the answer. What does short PR Interval and why did not it show on any previous ECGs?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Glad to have you back!
I am here to help you get the best medical advice.
This can be a normal variation. Another way we can sort it out is whenever you are symptomatic again, get a 24-hour Holter monitoring done again. A short PR interval is known to put someone at risk of developing a few rhythm disturbances, but that is very rare. And again you did not have that rhythm disturbance when you were put on 24-hour ECG monitoring.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you for consulting me.
You can always come back and reach me at icliniq.com.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Does this mean I am at an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest?
I still do not understand why was it on my 24-hour ECG but not other normal ECGs.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Glad to have you back!
I am here to help you get the best medical advice.
I would want you to consult a cardiologist or someone who is a specialist in rhythm abnormalities, at least once, in case you have not yet. You have a short PR interval but there are no other features suggesting a risk of any life-threatening arrhythmia in your ECG. So there is no need to get worried about it. Single-time ECG only shows rhythm for a few seconds. Obviously, the chances to pick up small abnormalities are very less compared to a 24-hour ECG.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you for consulting me.
You can always come back and reach me at icliniq.com.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thanks again. Why did not you say initially I should see a cardiologist?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Glad to have you back!
I am here to help you get the best medical advice.
I mean to say keep in touch with one cardiologist, who can assess you at frequent intervals. There is hardly anything to worry about based on the above ECG findings. I wish you a good health.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you for consulting me.
You can always come back and reach me at icliniq.com.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thanks again. If my ECG had shown tachycardia, would that have been more of a worry? Have you seen short PR intervals before?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Glad to have you back!
I am here to help you get the best medical advice.
Sinus tachycardia would not have been a cause of worry, because it is sinus rhythm. Anxiety itself is known to cause such tachycardia. Yes, we have seen short PR interval patients. They live a normal life.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you for consulting me.
You can always come back and reach me at icliniq.com.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thanks again. So can I go to the gym this afternoon? What would warrant further investigations? Are you confident this is just a normal variant?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Glad to have you back!
I am here to help you get the best medical advice.
Of course, if u had not had any problems till now, you will not have any even now. Do not get anxious.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you for consulting me.
You can always come back and reach me at icliniq.com.
Was this conversation helpful?
Answered by Education: MBBS Professional Bio: This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore. Dr. Atul
Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Dr. Atul
Internal Medicine
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