Resting ECG abnormalities among asymptomatic Arab men and comparison with other ethnic populations

The aim of this study was to detect the frequency of the resting electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities among asymptomatic Arab men in Saudi Arabia, since no similar studies had been conducted in this ethnic population. The ECG tracings of 314 men (mean age 44.2 years) who attended a health clinic in Abha, Southern Saudi Arabia, were analyzed according to the definitions of the major ECG textbooks and the Minnesota code. Abnormal ECG findings were encountered in 99 men (31.5%); 39 (12.4%) had non-specific changes, while 60 (19.1%) had potentiallysignificantabnormalities. Serious abnormalities, such as ischemic changes, left ventricular hypertrophy, and atrial fibrillation were seen in only 22 subjects (7%) and were associated with hypertension and an age greater than 40 years. On the other hand, early repolarization, the most frequent abnormality encountered, and Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) were mostly prevalent among young subjects. The significance of these ECG abnormalities with regard to long-term morbidity and mortality in asymptomatic subjects should be considered in relation to the age of the person and the presence of any underlying cardiovascular disease.