Hello, I am 17 years old I recently went for an EKG test and when I received my results it said " poor R wave progression". I have no history of heart disease in my family, I am usually very stressed and sometimes have palpitations and pinching feelings in my chest...also a few strange feeling on the left side of my body.The doctor that gave me the results said that its probably nothing but I need a second opinion. Is this something I should be worrying about?
I'm surprised your doctor wouldn't explain it to you.
Here's what I found when I Googled it:
Poor R wave progression is a vague term used to describe the transition in voltage in the precordial leads of an electrocardiogram (ECG). It is not a diagnosis but simply describes a pattern frequently noted. In a "normal" individual there is a progressive increase in the magnitude of the voltage in the leads from V1 to V4. When the peak voltage occurs later than V4 it is considered diminished or delayed. The normal criteria are very old and were likely based upon pathologic data. Current ECG technology includes computer interpretation. This particular pattern is usually reported out as "cannot rule out anterior myocardial infarction." The placement of the precordial leads is paramount in obtaining a reliable ECG pattern. Frequently the precordial leads are placed in the wrong position in haste to obtain the electrocardiographic tracing. Women particulary large breasted are most likely to have the leads improperly placed as the left breast usually overlies the 4th and sometimes the 5th intercostal space (where the leads should be placed). In summary, the term poor R wave progression is a vague term and not a diagnosis. Verification of proper leads placement should be the first response followed by echocardiography if there remains concern that there has been prior myocardial injury.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_a_poor_R-wave_progression_mean_in_a_cardiogram.#ixzz1APgQ0K00
Here's what I found when I Googled it:
Poor R wave progression is a vague term used to describe the transition in voltage in the precordial leads of an electrocardiogram (ECG). It is not a diagnosis but simply describes a pattern frequently noted. In a "normal" individual there is a progressive increase in the magnitude of the voltage in the leads from V1 to V4. When the peak voltage occurs later than V4 it is considered diminished or delayed. The normal criteria are very old and were likely based upon pathologic data. Current ECG technology includes computer interpretation. This particular pattern is usually reported out as "cannot rule out anterior myocardial infarction." The placement of the precordial leads is paramount in obtaining a reliable ECG pattern. Frequently the precordial leads are placed in the wrong position in haste to obtain the electrocardiographic tracing. Women particulary large breasted are most likely to have the leads improperly placed as the left breast usually overlies the 4th and sometimes the 5th intercostal space (where the leads should be placed). In summary, the term poor R wave progression is a vague term and not a diagnosis. Verification of proper leads placement should be the first response followed by echocardiography if there remains concern that there has been prior myocardial injury.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_a_poor_R-wave_progression_mean_in_a_cardiogram.#ixzz1APgQ0K00