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Patient Directed Recording of a Bipolar Three-Lead Electrocardiogram using a Smartwatch with ECG Function
Published on: December 11, 2019
Electrocardiographic abnormalities in centenarians and octogenarians: a case-matched study
Ghassan Moubarak1, Vincent Algalarrondo, Nicolas Badenco
1Department of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, Hospital Paris Saint-Joseph, Paris, France. ghassan.moubarak@gmail.com
Summary
Electrocardiograms (ECGs) in centenarians show distinct patterns compared to younger elderly individuals, revealing age-related changes independent of heart disease. These findings highlight unique cardiac characteristics in extreme longevity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gerontology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Centenarians represent a model for successful aging, yet often exhibit cardiovascular diseases.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in centenarians can reflect normal aging or underlying pathologies.
- Identifying ECG features specific to extreme age is crucial for understanding aging processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify electrocardiogram (ECG) features uniquely associated with extreme age in centenarians.
- To differentiate age-related ECG changes from those caused by cardiac diseases in the oldest old.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 55 centenarians hospitalized between 2000 and 2010.
- Matched comparison with three octogenarians per centenarian, controlling for hypertension, aortic stenosis, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease.
Main Results:
- Centenarians had higher heart rates and more frequent left QRS axis deviation and Q waves than octogenarians.
- Atrial premature beats were more common in centenarians, while atrial fibrillation was less frequent.
- A strictly normal ECG was rarer in centenarians (4%) compared to octogenarians (15%).
Conclusions:
- Abnormal ECG findings are prevalent in centenarians.
- ECG characteristics in centenarians differ significantly from younger elderly individuals.
- These distinct ECG differences appear unrelated to the presence of diagnosed cardiac diseases.
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