[A new approach to evaluating the prevalence of electro- cardiographic high-amplitude R and S waves during mass screening].

Relationships between the prevalence of electrocardiographic high-amplitude R and S waves, the stroke index, mean hemodynamic arterial BP and left-ventricular myocardial thickness (MT) were examined in a population of 411 individuals, aged 35-64 years. The prevalence of those waves is shown to have independent functional relationships with the stroke index and mean hemodynamic BP, irrespective of left-ventricular myocardial morphology. This functional approach is used to explain the causes of low sensitivity of electrocardiographic signs of left-ventricular myocardial hypertrophy when used for diagnostic purposes at population screenings.