What is anterior infarct age undetermined?
Anterior infarct age undetermined is a condition when the doctor finds signs of a past infarction of the front side of your heart. The physician can identify the past anterior infarct based on the electrocardiography (ECG).
In situations where the infarction is unnoticed or untreated, it is very difficult to determine the time. Doctors refer to such findings as age-undetermined infarction.
“Anterior infarction” refers to the frontal part of the heart. This part is supplied by the left anterior descending artery.
For example, in atherosclerosis, the vessel can be blocked or narrowed so that blood cannot pass. The lack of oxygen causes damage to the frontal region behind the occlusion. This is called heart “infarction”.
Can I have an infarction and not know about it?
Yes, it is possible to have a myocardial infarction or heart attack and not know about it. Medically, this condition is referred to as a “silent” infarction.
In the Framingham Study, more than one-quarter of myocardial infarctions were silent [1].
Is anterior infarct age undetermined dangerous?
Having an infarction and not knowing about it can be dangerous. Many risks come with damage to the heart after an infarction.
The exact placement and size of the infarction are important determinants of the consequences. The severity of the infarction often depends on atherosclerosis. The time and the blockage of the artery determine the damage. The bigger the occlusion and the longer no blood is supplied, the bigger the damage.
What are the consequences of an anterior infarction age undetermined?
The complications of an anterior infarction with an undetermined age can vary greatly. Factors like the infarction size and past time, the overall health, and age are decisive.
A primary complication of infarction is heart muscle damage. This can lead to problems with the heart’s normal pumping function. When the damage to the heart muscle is severe, it can lead to heart failure.
Another complication of an anterior infarction age is undetermined and can be an arrhythmia. An irregular heart rhythm can be dangerous. For instance, atrial fibrillation can lead to the formation of clots that can cause stroke when ejected from the heart [2].
Should I consult a cardiologist with an anterior infarct age undetermined?
An anterior infarct age undetermined can have serious complications. Therefore, you should go and see a cardiologist. It is important to assess the health of your heart and look for any possible life-threatening arrhythmias.
You should be aware that the older you are, the more serious some of the consequences can be.
If you know that you had an anterior infarct (age undetermined) and you develop symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, you should immediately seek medical attention.
Also, young people who had an anterior infarct age undetermined should see a cardiologist. When you are young and you have a heart condition, you should examine your heart.
What does it mean "cannot rule out anterior infarct age undetermined"?
The phrase "cannot rule out anterior infarct age undetermined" is typically used by doctors to describe an ECG.
It is a suggestive term and not a diagnosis. You can often see its use on the first ECG that shows certain changes. For any specific confirmation, a second ECG should be taken.
Also, doctors can use this term on the second ECG. The reason for that can be that the doctor is not sure how to interpret your ECG. The ECG can be atypical and may need more opinions for a correct diagnosis.
In any case, when you see the term “cannot rule out anterior infarct age undetermined”, you can prepare that further testing will be needed to determine your diagnosis.