Lessons from reporting 100,000 Jamaican electrocardiograms.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Hypertension is prevalent in Jamaica, affecting 71% of women and 47% of men.
• A significant portion (13%) of detected hypertension cases were newly diagnosed.
• Obesity is highly prevalent in women (80%), posing a public health challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the findings of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica's screening program.
• To assess the prevalence of hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, and ischemic changes.
• To evaluate arrhythmia patterns and identify key risk factors and diagnostic needs.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from a hypertension screening program.
• Review of electrocardiographic (ECG) findings over a two-year period for 14,739 patients.
• Long-term observation of arrhythmia prevalence over 15 years.

Main Results:

• Hypertension detected in 71% of women and 47% of men, with 13% new diagnoses.
• Left ventricular hypertrophy found in 18% of hypertensive women and 27% of men.
• Ischemic ECG changes were low (4%), but uncontrolled atrial fibrillation was noted in hypertensive patients.

Conclusions:

• Inadequate blood pressure control is common, and left ventricular hypertrophy is frequent in hypertensive patients.
• ECG screening is crucial for 'silent' ischemia in diabetics and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensives.
• Public education on obesity and regular ECG monitoring are recommended for at-risk populations.