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[ECG during rest as an indicator of vascular changes in diabetic patients]
Insights
Electrocardiogram (EKG) abnormalities are more common in diabetics over 50. A normal EKG in this group suggests lower cardiovascular risk and a healthier risk factor profile.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Diabetology
- Vascular Medicine
Context:
- Diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Diabetic patients often exhibit accelerated atherosclerosis and vascular complications.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) is a non-invasive tool for assessing cardiac health.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence of EKG abnormalities in diabetic outpatients compared to non-diabetic controls.
- To correlate EKG findings with cardiovascular risk factors, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and carotid artery stenosis (CS).
- To determine the prognostic value of a normal EKG in older diabetic individuals.
Summary:
- EKG findings based on the Minnesota Code were analyzed in 186 diabetic and 52 control subjects aged 50-79.
- Diabetics showed approximately twice the frequency of EKG abnormalities (Minnesota Codes IV, V, VII) compared to controls.
- Diabetics had higher blood glucose, HbA1c, and systolic blood pressure, along with increased signs of PVD and CS.
- Only 27% of diabetics had normal EKG findings, which were associated with lower cardiovascular morbidity and a more favorable risk factor profile.
Impact:
- Abnormal EKG findings are frequent in older diabetic patients, highlighting the need for cardiac monitoring.
- A normal EKG in diabetics over 50 years old is a strong indicator of low cardiovascular risk.
- These findings can help stratify cardiovascular risk in diabetic populations and guide clinical management.
Abstract:
EKG-findings of 186 non-selected diabetic outpatients and 52 control subjects of the age group of 50 to 79 years have been examined in relation to cardiovascular risk factors as well as to peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and carotid artery stenosis (CS). The Whitehall-Criteria of the Minnesota-Code were seen in diabetics (D) approximately twice as frequently as in non-diabetics (C): Minnesota-Code I: D 7% vs C 4%; IV 27% vs 13%; V 25% vs 15%; VII1 2% vs 0%. Beside higher levels of blood glucose and HbAI, diabetics differed from controls mainly by higher systolic blood pressure (p less than 0.001). Furthermore, they showed more signs of PVD and CS. Only in 27% of diabetics normal EKG-findings were seen. In comparison to age-adjusted diabetics with EKG-abnormalities, these patients showed signs of PVD and CS only to a minor degree and lower values were found for systolic (p less than 0,01) and diastolic (p less than 0.05) blood pressure, weight (p less than 0.05), serum triglycerides (p less than 0.02), and markedly higher values for HDL-cholesterol (p less than 0.01). These data show that in diabetics more frequently abnormal EKG-findings are seen and that a normal EKG in diabetics older than 50 years indicates low cardiovascular morbidity and a favorable risk factor profile.