Question:

Does “possible anterior infarct, age undetermined” mean I may have had a heart attack?

My EKG results concluded: Normal sinus rhythm, possible anterior infarct, age undetermined, abnormal ECG. I am a 49 year old female. I’m not overweight (128 lbs, 5’6″). I recently had the EKG (my first) because of upcoming minor surgery. There is heart disease in my family. Does “possible anterior infarct, age undetermined” mean I may have had a heart attack? Should I be overly concerned? What else could cause this abnormality? Thank you.

Submitted by Lisa from Weirton, West Virginia on 04/22/2014

Answer:
by Patrick J. Cook, MD

While these ECG results COULD truly signify an old [previous] myocardial infarction, i.e., heart attack/MI, this result also could be seen in normal hearts. Ask your doctor. If there remains some question, an echocardiogram can distinguish between an old MI and a normal heart.