Electrocardiographic findings in men and women aged 18 to 65

In an epidemiological study--the REBUS study--about 2500 men and women aged 18 to 65 underwent an electrocardiographic (ECG) examination at rest and a subsample of about 1000 persons also performed an ECG exercise test. The ECG recordings were coded according to the modified Minnesota code (2). At rest, 55% of the population had normal ECGs. In the subsample the figure was 65%, indicating a certain selection. During and/or after the exercise test 80% of the men and 70% of the women had no major ST- and T-wave changes, arrhythmias or ectopic beats. In both men and women the percentage of abnormal changes in the exercise ECG rose with age, for the men from 45 years, and for the women from the age of 35. ST depressions were most common abnormal changes recorded. At rest, 20% of the women and 9% of the men had ST depressions. The corresponding figures (major and minor changes) during and/or after the exercise test were 78% and 60% for the women and the men respectively. Out of 184 major ST depressions recorded during the exercise test (codes 4.1--4.4) 14 (7%) were not present immediately after the test. During and/or after the exercise test, 8% of the men and 20% of the women, having no ST changes at rest, had ST changes of the major type. Those subjects who had arrhythmias or ectopic beats at rest, had in general no such changes during and/or after the exercise test.