Can a heart attack occur even if the electrocardiogram (ECG) is normal?
Disease description:
Recently, I’ve been experiencing discomfort in my chest. I went to the hospital for an electrocardiogram (ECG), which came back normal. Does a normal ECG rule out myocardial infarction?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Aifen
A normal electrocardiogram (ECG) does not rule out myocardial infarction (MI). Myocardial infarction is a life-threatening condition caused by a sudden reduction or interruption of blood supply through the coronary arteries, leading to localized necrosis of cardiac muscle tissue due to severe and prolonged ischemia. While MI may manifest as characteristic ECG changes, some patients exhibit no obvious abnormalities on ECG. Individuals with a prior history of heart disease who suddenly develop symptoms such as chest pain, nausea, or epigastric pain should seek immediate medical attention. Diagnosis requires not only ECG but also integration with other laboratory and imaging tests.
