Electrocardiographic changes in adults living in a southern Brazilian city: A population-based study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Abnormalities on the resting electrocardiogram (ECG) are predictors of mortality and cardiovascular events among asymptomatic adults. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ECG abnormalities in adults and their association with cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of ECGs in adults aged 19-59 years, living in Tubarão, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Data were collected between November 2011 and July 2012. Electrocardiographic findings were classified according to the guidelines of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology on analyzing and issuing electrocardiographic reports, and were divided into major abnormalities, minor abnormalities and no changes, as in previous studies. Pearson's chi-square test and ANOVA were used to analyze the association of ECG parameters with traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

RESULTS

A total of 361 participants were studied. Mean age was 40.4±12.2 years; 232 (64.3%) were women. Minor abnormalities were found in 16.9% and major abnormalities in 3.3%. Among the risk factors examined, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, systemic hypertension, diabetes, and high Framingham risk score were significantly associated with major and minor ECG changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of electrocardiographic changes was 20.2% in the population surveyed, the majority being minor. Both major and minor electrocardiographic abnormalities showed significant associations with risk of coronary artery disease, and may predict cardiovascular risk in asymptomatic adults.