The prognostic significance of dysrhythmias in the healthy elderly

Fifty healthy, elderly subjects in whom a cardiovascular assessment, including 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography had been performed, have been followed until death, or if surviving, for five years. Eight patients have died and 88 per cent of the survivors have had repeated 24-hour electrocardiography. Coronary death and the development of cardiovascular or neurological symptoms were not related to the presence in the original recording of significant dysrhythmias including frequent ventricular and supraventricular premature beats, R on T phenomena or sinus arrest. Treatment of these and other dysrhythmias in the asymptomatic elderly individual to prevent development of serious clinical sequelae is not justified.