M. Bernadette Galvin

If an EKG (ECG)is abnormal it may be indicative that you may have heart disease. It is the initial step in a work-up for heart disease. If your EKG is abnormal please follow up with me to evaluate your cardiac health further. Just to note, not all abnormal EKG’s ( also known as an ECG) mean that you have heart disease.
Depending on the abnormality, an ECG may show that you have has a heart attack, have an electrical conduction problem in your heart that would show that you need a pacemaker, have a rapid heart beat that can be treated by medication. In athletic persons a slow heart rate would be acceptable and considered normal but the ECG would be initially considered abnormal. A thorough history is imperative at the same time an ECG is performed. If you have any further questions , please contact me and I will be happy to discuss them with you. Have a good day, Dr. Galvin

First, it is important to evaluate your exercise capability now, meaning are you able to walk up a flight of stairs without developing shortness of breath, can you walk a block without developing shortness of breath, do you have shortness of breath at rest? Do you develop any chest pain while performing any of the above activities. This will give me basic information regarding your cardiac status. Once this is evaluatedquestions regarding family history of cardiac disease, hypertension, diabetes should be evaluated. Walking is a low impact exercise but if any of the answers to the questions above are yes, it would be important to perform an exercise nuclear stress. Initially, a low fat weight loss diet should be instituted. Your baseline blood pressure and heart rate must be measured. Low impact exercise ncluding walking and swimming are strongly suggested. Further cardiac work-up can then ensue