Cardiovascular risk factors and electrographical characteristics and abnormalities in middle-aged males.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate if characteristics and abnormalities found at the electrocardiogram (ECG) are related to common cardiovascular risk factors included in the insulin-resistance metabolic syndrome.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Tertiary university hospital.


METHODS
Over 2000 middle-aged males in whom ECG abnormalities were recorded, together with ECG characteristics measured in a random sample of men with no ECG abnormalities (n = 113).


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
All three components of the metabolic syndrome; elevated blood pressure, dyslipidaemia and hyperinsulinaemia were found to be related to the heart rate (P < 0.002) and the QRS-duration (P < 0.01) and inversely to the QoT-interval (P < 0.05), the early diastolic phase (P < 0.05) and the T-wave amplitude (P < 0.02). The components of the metabolic syndrome was furthermore found to be associated with the occurrence of T-wave abnormalities (n = 64, P < 0.01) and to a lesser degree also to the occurrence of Q-waves (n = 21).


CONCLUSIONS
The components of the insulin-resistance metabolic syndrome were related both to certain ECG characteristics in subjects with a normal ECG and to some ECG abnormalities. A raised sympathetic activity is likely to be the link between some of the described associations, whilst coronary heart diseases may explain others.
Lind
L
L
Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Sundström
J
J
Lithell
H
H
D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides