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[Major and minor changes in the electrocardiogram of the hypertensive patient]
M de la Figuera1, E Vinyoles, M Mata
1Area Básica de Salud La Mina, Unitat Docent de Medicina Familiar i Comunitària de Barcelona.
Insights
Electrocardiograph (ECG) deviations are common in hypertensive patients, with minor wave and ST segment changes most frequent. These ECG findings are linked to patient age, blood pressure, and other health factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hypertension Research
- Diagnostic Imaging
Context:
- Hypertension is a prevalent condition associated with significant cardiovascular risk.
- Electrocardiography (ECG) is a standard diagnostic tool for assessing cardiac health.
- Understanding ECG patterns in hypertensive patients is crucial for risk stratification.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence and specific characteristics of electrocardiograph deviations in patients diagnosed with hypertension.
- To identify factors associated with the presence of these deviations.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed ECGs of 352 hypertensive patients (mean age 59.4 years).
- Electrocardiograph deviations were observed in 38.9% of patients.
- Common deviations included minor wave changes (12%) and ST segment abnormalities (9%). Left ventricular hypertrophy occurred more frequently in women (p=0.03).
- Factors such as age, systolic blood pressure, disease duration, comorbidities, and cardiovascular medications were positively associated with ECG deviations (p<0.05).
Impact:
- The findings highlight the utility of ECG in managing hypertensive individuals.
- Early detection of ECG abnormalities can aid in personalized treatment strategies.
- This research supports the role of ECG in risk assessment and monitoring of hypertension-related cardiac changes.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence and characteristics of electrocardiograph deviation in such hypertensive patients.
Design:
Retrospective descriptive study of a representative sample of patients with high blood pressure. SITE. Primary attention centre.
Patients:
The sample consists of 352 patients, systematically random selected from a pool of 1780 patients suffering from hypertension, aged over 14 years, attending the centre (119 males (34%) and 233 females (66%). Average age 59.4 +/- 13.5 years).
Main Measurements And Results:
The first ECG reading after diagnosis of hypertension was analysed and codified according to the pooling project criteria. 38.9% present electrocardiograph deviations, the most frequent being minor wave 1 (12%), significant breaking up of the ST (9%) and left ventricular hypertrophy (5.1%), the latter more frequent in women (p = 0.03). Age, systolic arterial blood pressure and the time the condition had been in existence, certain associated chronic diseases, and use of pharmaceutical drugs acting cardiovascularly, are positively related to the deviation in ECG (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The value of ECG in the treatment of high blood pressure sufferers is indicated.