Question

What does the presence of a flattened or inverted T wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG) typically indicate?

A. Normal cardiac activity, with no cause for concern.
B. An acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).
C. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
D. Abnormal cardiac electrical activity, potentially signaling cardiac ischemia or other heart conditions.

Answer 1

A flattened or inverted T wave on an ECG typically indicates abnormal cardiac electrical activity, which may suggest cardiac ischemia or reflect variations in individual heart anatomy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The presence of a flattened or inverted T wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG) typically indicates abnormal cardiac electrical activity. This could potentially signal conditions such as cardiac ischemia or other heart conditions, where there is insufficient oxygen being delivered to the myocardium. While an elevation of the ST segment above baseline often points to an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), a flattened T wave suggests possible issues with the oxygenation of heart tissue or other non-acute cardiac problems. It is important to consider the whole-EKG context and, if necessary, compare with previous ECGs to detect subtle changes or gradual damage to the heart, as well as differences due to individual heart size, shape, and orientation.