What is indicated by an elevated ST segment?

An elevated ST segment on an ECG indicates myocardial injury, which typically occurs when there is significant damage to the heart muscle. This elevation is seen in conditions such as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), where the heart is experiencing acute injury due to a lack of blood supply, often caused by a blockage in one or more of the coronary arteries.

When the heart muscle is injured, the electrical activity as recorded on the ECG changes, leading to the characteristic ST segment elevation. This is an important diagnostic feature that healthcare providers use to identify and assess the severity of myocardial injury. Timely recognition of elevated ST segments can guide immediate treatment decisions to restore blood flow to the affected area of the heart and minimize damage.

In contrast, other conditions like myocardial ischemia typically present with ST segment depression or T wave changes rather than elevation, while ventricular hypertrophy is characterized by other specific patterns on the ECG rather than ST segment elevation. Normal variations in an ECG do not include significant changes in the ST segment.