[Electrocardiographic evolution of severe medically treated hypertension]

Electrocardiographic finding were studied in 34 severe hypertensions submitted to antihypertensive therapy. The duration of the survey was between 2 and 6 years. No significant correlation was observed between the changes in pressure and the changes in electrocardiogramm: normalisation of blood pressure could be associated with abnormalities in the electrocardiogramm, concerning especially ST segments and T waves. In the latter case, a high frequency of coronary insufficiency was observed. The results suggested that cardiac factors, independent of the pressure level, could determine the electrocardiographic changes during antihypertensive therapy.