What does ST segment elevation suggest?

ST segment elevation on an electrocardiogram indicates a significant alteration in the heart's electrical activity that can suggest a possible myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. When there is damage to the heart muscle, such as from a lack of blood flow, the myocardial cells become ischemic and cannot repolarize properly. This results in the ST segment being elevated above the baseline on the EKG tracing. Recognizing this elevation is crucial, as it often points to the presence of a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction), which is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention to restore blood flow and minimize heart damage.

In contrast, both normal heart function and conditions such as hyperkalemia or bradycardia would not typically lead to ST segment elevation. Normal heart function is characterized by stable and consistent electrical activity, while hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) might present different EKG changes, such as peaked T waves. Bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate and may lead to different abnormalities such as prolonged PR intervals but not ST segment elevation.