ECG changes in octogenarians

Numerous studies have been done about the Electrocardiogram (ECG) in the elderly but just a few regarding the changes in ECG in octogenarians. Ageing is definitely associated with changes in the cardiac conduction and physiology. This study attempts to evaluate the ECG in octogenarians. ECG recordings from 165 octogenarian subjects were obtained from subjects aged 80-89 years, mean age was 82.75 +/- 2.41 years. ECG's were normal in 27.27 % of the study population. The major abnormalities noted were right bundle branch block 15.15%, left ventricular hypertrophy in 13.93%, Poor R-wave progression in precordial leads in 10.91%, atrial fibrillation in 8.48%, ST changes in 8.48%, sinus tachycardia in 6.66% and sinus bradycardia in 4.84% of the study population. The mean QTc was 0.41s. Because of its non-invasive nature, ECG is a least expensive, readily available diagnostic tool for evaluating cardiac health issues in the growing elderly population. We hope the observations will be helpful in future studies, in evaluating cardiac health in octogenarians and in clinical practice.