Certified EKG Technician (CET) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

ST depression is typically associated with a variety of conditions, but it is not specifically indicative of a myocardial infarction (MI). Instead, ST depression often suggests the presence of ischemia, which is a reduced blood flow to the heart muscle and may occur during conditions like angina or stress tests.

The presence of ST depression can indeed be caused by the digoxin effect, a condition that arises when a patient is taking digoxin, a medication used to treat heart conditions. Additionally, electrolyte imbalances, such as low potassium levels, can also lead to ST segment changes, including depression.

Myocardial infarction, on the other hand, is more closely associated with ST segment elevation or other changes in the EKG that indicate significant damage to the heart muscle. While some patients may present with ST depression during an MI, it is not a definitive characteristic of the event itself, which is why it is important to differentiate between ST depression and ST elevation in the context of heart attacks.