Vol 4, No 4 (2000)
Original paper
Published online: 2000-10-30
Prognostic Value of Abnormal Electrocardiography in the Very Elderly Hypertensive Population
Nadciśnienie tętnicze 2000;4(4):237-242.
Abstract
Background The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic value of electrocardiographic abnormalities in the very old hypertensive people.
Material and methods The results presented in this report refer to the database of 124 inhabitants of the randomly chosen area of Cracow aged 79 years of more, followed for 10 years. A short questionnaire, sitting blood pressure (BP) measurements and supine resting 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG) were performed in 1985. Hypertension was diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (SBP) ł 160 and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ł 95 mm Hg. Each ECG was classified according to the Minnesota Code. QT intervals were adjusted for heart rate according to Bazzett’s formula (QTc) and difference between minimal and maximal QTc (dispersion) were calculated. Causes of death were determined by review of all death certificates from the start of the study until December 31, 1995. Changes in ECG and mortality rates were compared in normotensive and hypertensive groups. The statistical significance of frequency differences was studied by chi-square test and between the means was assessed by the Student t test.
Results Prevalence of ecg abnormalities was similar in normotensive and hypertensive subjecst. Moreover QTc and its dispersion did not differ between groups. Mortality rate after 4 and 10 years was respectively 36.9% and 80.9% in hypertensives, 42.5% and 80% in normotensives. Analysed parameters did not influence mortality rates in the studied population.
Conclusions In the very elderly population the prevalence of ECG abnormalities was similar in normotensive and hypertensive subjects and did not influence the prognosis of studied population.
Material and methods The results presented in this report refer to the database of 124 inhabitants of the randomly chosen area of Cracow aged 79 years of more, followed for 10 years. A short questionnaire, sitting blood pressure (BP) measurements and supine resting 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG) were performed in 1985. Hypertension was diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (SBP) ł 160 and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ł 95 mm Hg. Each ECG was classified according to the Minnesota Code. QT intervals were adjusted for heart rate according to Bazzett’s formula (QTc) and difference between minimal and maximal QTc (dispersion) were calculated. Causes of death were determined by review of all death certificates from the start of the study until December 31, 1995. Changes in ECG and mortality rates were compared in normotensive and hypertensive groups. The statistical significance of frequency differences was studied by chi-square test and between the means was assessed by the Student t test.
Results Prevalence of ecg abnormalities was similar in normotensive and hypertensive subjecst. Moreover QTc and its dispersion did not differ between groups. Mortality rate after 4 and 10 years was respectively 36.9% and 80.9% in hypertensives, 42.5% and 80% in normotensives. Analysed parameters did not influence mortality rates in the studied population.
Conclusions In the very elderly population the prevalence of ECG abnormalities was similar in normotensive and hypertensive subjects and did not influence the prognosis of studied population.
Keywords: hypertensionelderlyECGmortalityprognostic value