Related Experiment Videos
[Arrhythmias in the aged: prevalence and correlation with symptoms]
Insights
Arrhythmias are common in the elderly, affecting 72% of individuals over 60. This study found no link between symptoms like dizziness and arrhythmias detected by Holter ECG.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Arrhythmias are a significant concern in the elderly population.
- Understanding the prevalence and correlation with symptoms is crucial for geriatric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of arrhythmias in the elderly.
- To investigate the relationship between reported symptoms and diagnosed arrhythmias.
Main Methods:
- 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography (Holter ECG) was performed on 913 elderly patients (aged 60-89).
- Patients were categorized by age group, presence of key symptoms (syncope, chest pain, palpitations), and Holter ECG findings.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of arrhythmias (72%) was observed, increasing with age (60.6% in 60-69, 80.5% in 70-79, 79.1% in >=80).
- Tachyarrhythmias were more prevalent than bradyarrhythmias (5:1). Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias increased with age, unlike bradyarrhythmias.
- Arrhythmia prevalence was similar in symptomatic (77.4%) and asymptomatic (63.6%) patients, with no significant symptom-arrhythmia correlation.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights a high prevalence of arrhythmias in the elderly, particularly supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, which increase with age.
- The lack of correlation between symptoms and arrhythmias suggests that clinical significance and prognosis require careful evaluation.
- Holter ECG is essential for detecting these arrhythmias, regardless of reported symptoms.
Abstract:
Objective of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of arrhythmias as well as their correlation with the reported anamnestic symptomatology in the elderly population. With 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiography (Holter ECG) 913 patients, (440 males and 473 females, range 60-89 years, mean age 71) were consecutively studied and subdivided according to the following criteria: (1) age (3 classes: 60-69 [I], 70-79 [II], > or = 80 [III]; (2) presence/absence of "guide" symptoms (syncope/faintness, chest pain, palpitation), and (3) Holter electrocardiography results. We have demonstrated a high prevalence of arrhythmias: 72% (657), which was significantly higher in age classes II (80.5%) and III (79.1%) in comparison to class I (60.6%). A notably higher prevalence of tachyarrhythmias is documented compared to bradyarrhythmias (5:1). With a higher age the prevalence of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias increases significantly, while bradyarrhythmias do not have the same trend. We have a similar prevalence of arrhythmias between symptomatic (77.4%) and asymptomatic patients (63.6%) and no significant correlation between anamnestic symptoms and presence of arrhythmias are observed. Considering the high prevalence of arrhythmias during Holter ECG we think that the clinical importance and prognosis should be evaluated with caution.