What does it mean to have a long QRS?

Lucas Martinez | 2018-04-06 10:01:51 | page views:1198
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Charlotte Perez

Studied at the University of Johannesburg, Lives in Johannesburg, South Africa.
As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can explain what it means to have a long QRS complex.

The QRS complex on an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) represents the electrical activity of the ventricles as they depolarize, or contract. A normal QRS duration is typically between 0.06 to 0.10 seconds. When the QRS complex duration is prolonged, meaning it lasts longer than 0.10 seconds, it is referred to as having a long QRS. This can be an indication of various cardiac conditions, including:


1. Bundle branch block: A delay in the electrical conduction through the left or right bundle branches of the heart can cause a wide QRS complex.

2. Myocardial infarction (heart attack): Damage to the heart muscle can disrupt the normal electrical conduction pathways, leading to a prolonged QRS.

3. Cardiomyopathy: Conditions that affect the heart muscle can alter the electrical conduction and result in a long QRS.

4. Intraventricular conduction delay: This is a broader term that includes conditions that delay the electrical signal as it travels through the ventricles.

5. Hyperkalemia: High levels of potassium in the blood can affect the electrical activity of the heart and prolong the QRS.

A long QRS complex can also be seen in individuals with ventricular hypertrophy or in those who are taking certain medications that affect cardiac conduction.

It's important to note that a long QRS complex is not a diagnosis in itself but rather a finding that requires further investigation to determine the underlying cause.

Parker Lewis

Works at the United Nations, Lives in New York, NY, USA.
Wide, bizarre QRS complexes of supraventricular origin are often the result of intraventricular conduction defect which usually occurs due to right or left bundle branch block. ? Wide QRS complexes may be seen in aberrant conduction, ventricular preexcitation and with a cardiac pacemaker.

Mia Johnson

QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
Wide, bizarre QRS complexes of supraventricular origin are often the result of intraventricular conduction defect which usually occurs due to right or left bundle branch block. ? Wide QRS complexes may be seen in aberrant conduction, ventricular preexcitation and with a cardiac pacemaker.
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