EKG (Electrocardiogram)
- reveals rate of pulse and regularity or irregularity of the
heartbeat. The test also indicates certain abnormalities of varying
importance. Below are the abnormalities ranked from least to most
important:
Least significant
1. Sinus arrythmia (varying pulse
rate)
2. Sinus bradycardia (slow pulse)
3. Sinus tachycardia (rapid pulse)
4. Incomplete right bundle branch block, a minor abnormality of the
electrical distribution to the right side of the heart.
5. First degree heart block, a slight delay in the activation of the
pumping heart chambers, the ventricles, from the atria, the upper
chambers, where the impulse to beat begins.
6. Occasional premature beats atrial or ventricular, skipped beats.
7. Non-specific ST-T changes, mild abnormalities.
More significant
1. Controlled atrial fibrillation, a
chronic pattern in the upper chamber controlled with medication.
Requires clot-preventing medication to prevent a stroke.
2. Left axis deviation, associated with high blood pressure,
enlargement of the heart. L.A.D. may be normal in obese people.
3. Q waves in lead 11,111, AVF, may be normal or evidence of a past
heart attack.
4. Right or left bundle branch block, more serious distribution
defect to the right or left ventricle (see item 4 above).
5. Left ventricular hypertrophy, enlargement of the main pumping
Most significant
1. Acute Myocardial infarction (Heart
Attack In Progress!).
2. Rapid uncontrolled atnal fibrillation (Heart Attack In
Progress!).
3. Atrial or supraventricular tachycardia, rapid dangerous heart
rate.
4. 2nd and 3rd degree block, more serious
distribution defect of the impulse from atria to ventricles. This is
often associated with fainting spells and is treated with a
pacemaker.
Pulmonary Function
Test
Obstruction:
Difficulty of moving air in and out of the lung because of narrowing
or spasms of the bronchial tubes.
Restriction:
Difficulty of moving air in and out of the lungs because of
stiffness of the rib cage, also obesity maybe involved.
Obstruction
and Restriction are usually reported as borderline, mild,
moderate or severe.
Definition
of vital capacity: The total volume Of air moved in and
out of the lungs when taking a maximum, deep breath.
Chest X-Ray
Review the Radiology report Sent with
your results. It will report any abnormalities with the view of the
lungs, heart or spine.
Blood Tests
The raw test results arc mailed to you
with your report. These results are listed as "Result"
(within normal range) or "Abnormal" followed by high or low.
The "Reference Range" is located on the right side of the
test page.
Total
Protein - A low or high Total Protein does not indicate a
specific disease, but it does indicate that some additional tests
may be required to determine if there is a problem
Albumin
- Approximately two-thirds of the total protein circulating in your
blood is Albumin This important protein keeps water inside your
blood vessels. When your Albumin level is too low, water can leak
out of your blood vessels into other parts of your body and cause
swelling. A low level of Albumin in the blood can be cause by
malnutrition, too much water in the body, liver disease, severe
injury such as burns or major bone fractures, and slow bleeding over
a long period of time.
Globulin
- This is the group of proteins in your blood that help fight
infections. It is actually comprised of about 60 different important
proteins. Some of the proteins in this group play an important
role in blood clotting and unclotting. If your globulin level is
abnormal, your doctor may want to measure some of the individual
proteins that make up this group.
A / G Ratio
- A simple way to tell if the Albumin or Globulin levels in the
blood are abnormal is to compare the level of Albumin to the level
of globulin in your blood.
Glucose
- This is the chief source of energy for all living organisms. A
high blood glucose, in someone who has fasted for 12 hours, suggests
diabetes, and your treating physician may wish to do some further
testing.
Sodium
- This element plays an important role in salt and water balance in
the body. A low level in the blood can be caused by too much water
intake, heart failure, or kidney failure, A low level can also be
caused by loss of sodium in diarrhea, fluid, or vomit. A high level
can be caused by too much intake of salt or by not enough intake of
water.
Potassium
- Low levels may be found in patients on diuretics or in patients not
receiving enough potassium. A low potassium level can cause muscle
weakness and heart problems. A high potassium level can be found in
kidney disease or in overuse of potassium supplements.
Chloride
- Chloride is probably the least important element that is measured in
the blood. Borderline low and high levels of chloride have very little
significance.
C02 (Carbon
dioxide) - is probably the second least important element
that is measured in the blood. Borderline low and high levels of
carbon dioxide have very little significance.
BUN (Blood
Urea Nitrogen) - BUN is a waste product derived from
protein breakdown in the liver. It is excreted by the kidneys. When
your kidneys are not working well, the level of BUN in the blood will
rise. Dehydration and blood loss can also cause a high BUN level. A
low BUN level may be caused by liver disease, a low protein diet, too
much water intake.
Creatinine
- High levels of creatinine in the blood usually indicates a
deterioration in kidney function.
BUN/Creatinine
Ratio - By comparing the BUN level in the blood to the
creatinine level, the doctor can determine lithe high BUN level is
caused by a kidney problem or from something like blood loss into the
gut.
Calcium
- Low levels of calcium in the blood are associated with malnutrition.
High levels can be caused by bone disease, excess intake of antacids
and milk (this is often seen in people with ulcers), excess vitamin D,
and hyperparathyroidism. The parathyroid glands are the main
regulators of calcium in the body.
Uric Acid
- Uric acid is the end product of the breakdown of purines in your
body. A high level of uric acid in your body may cause gouty arthritis
or kidney stones. Also stress, alcohol and certain diuretics (water
pills) may raise the levels.
Iron
- The body must have iron to make hemoglobin and to help transfer
oxygen to the muscles. If the body is Iow in Iron, all body cells,
particularly muscles in adults and brain cells in children, do not
function up to par. On the other hand, if there is too much Iron in
the body, this can cause injury to the heart, pancreas, joints,
testicles, ovaries, etc. Iron excess is found in the hereditary
disease called hemochroniatosis and this disease can be found in about
3 of every 1000 people.
Bilirubin,
Total - Bilirubin is the pigment
in the blood that makes the plasma or serum part of your blood yellow.
When the bilirubin level in the blood is very high for a period of
time~, the whites of your eyes and your skin may become yellow - this
is known as jaundice. Bilirubin comes from the breakdown of old red
cells in the blood. A high bilirubin level in the blood can be caused
by too many red cells being destroyed, by liver disease, or by a
blockage of bile ducts. Fasting can also cause a slight increase in
total bilirubin.
LDH (Lactate
Dehydrogenase) - LDH is an enzyme found in all tissue in
the body so that a high level in the blood can result from a number of
different diseases. Also~ slightly elevated levels in the blood are
common and usually do not indicate disease. The most common sources of
LDH are the heart, liver, muscles, and red blood cells.
ALK PHOS
(Alkaline Phosphatase)- A high level of alkaline
phosphatase in your blood may indicate bone, liver, or bile duct
disease. Certain drugs may also cause high levels. Growing, children
because of bone growth normally have a higher level than adults.
AST (SGOT)
& (Transaminase) -The AST enzyme is found mainly in the
heart, liver and muscles. High levels of AST in the blood suggest a
problem with the heart, liver or muscles.
Phosphorous
- Very low levels of phosphorous in the blood can be associated with
starvation or malnutrition and this can lead to muscle weakness. High
levels in the blood are usually associated with kidney disease.
ALT {(SGPT)
& (Transaminase)} The ALT enzyme is found mainly in the
liver. If the level of ALT in the blood is high, your treating
physician may have you give another sample. Jilt is high on the second
sample, it suggests the possibility of liver disease and your treating
doctor may want to screen for hepatitis.
G-GTP
- This is an enzyme that is primarily found in the liver. Drinking too
much alcohol, certain drugs, liver disease, and bile duct disease can
cause high levels of G-GTP in the blood
Cholesterol
- Cholesterol is an essential blood fat, but too high a level of this
blood fat has been shown to be a associated with a higher risk of
heart disease and clogged blood vessels.
Triglycerides
- This is a blood fat that is related to a higher risk of heart
disease.
HDL CHOL,
Direct (High density Iipoproteln) - High density
lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is the "good" cholesterol. The
more HDL cholesterol you have, the more cholesterol can be carried
away and not clog your arteries.
HDL AS % of
Cholesterol - The higher the HDL percentile is, as a
percentage of all cholesterol, the lower the risk of heart disease. A
reference table for this number is located on the, bottom of the first
page of the lab results.
CHOL/HDL RATIO
- This number ~s obtained by comparing the cholesterol level. The
higher this number, the greater the risk of coronary heart disease. A
high HDL cholesterol level will result in a lower ratio, which means
lower risk. A reference table for this number is located on the bottom
of the first page of the lab results. There is a male and a female
reference table.
LDL/HDL
Ratio - This test measures the "good" (HDL) versus the
"bad" (LDL) cholesterol, which helps to determine the total
risk for cardiovascular.
LDL
Cholesterol (Low density lipoprotein) - Low density
lipoprotein cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol. The more
LDL cholesterol in the blood increases the likelihood of clogging
your, arteries.
WBC (White
blood cell count) - White blood cells fight infection. A
high white blood cell count indicates an inféction. A very high
number (over 20,000) may indicate the cancer Leukemia. Any increase of
the white blood cell count requires further investigation.
RBC (Red blood
cell count) - Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs
to all tissue. A low number may indicate anemia. A high number may
indicate polycythemia.
HGB
(Hemoglobin) - Hemoglobin i&~he oxygen carrying
substance in the red blood cells.
HCT (Hematocrit)
- This test measures the percentage of red blood cells in
the total blood volume.
MCV (Mean Cell
Volume) - Mean deli volume indicates the size of the red
blood cells.
MCH (Mean
corpuscle hemoglobin - This test measures the average
amount hemoglobin in a red blood cell derived by.
MCHC (Mean
cell hemoglobin concentration) - This test measures the
mean cell hemoglobin concen1ration~in the red blood cells
RDW -
For lab use only.
POLYS
- Type of white blood cell that increases when there is the presence
of acute and chronic infections.
LYMPHS
- Type of white blood c4that increases when there is the presence of
viral infections.
EOS
- Type of blood cells that increase when there is the presence of an
allergic situation.
BASOS &
MONOS - Type of blood ceils that increase when the is a
presence of virus infections and allergic reactions, but are of little
significance.
Platelet Count
- Small cells in blood clotting.
Patients
receiving an Annual Physical Exam and/or Executive Health Physical will
receive in the mail a comprehensive written medical report, usually
within four to six weeks of their examination. PEMG recommends
that you follow-up any results with your primary care physician.
