Cardiovascular risk factors and selected parameters of ECG dispersion mapping in medical students

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the association between the risk factors (RFs) of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and selected parameters of ECG dispersion mapping in medical students, in order to facilitate preclinical diagnostics and timely risk management. Material and methods: The study included 72 students of the Internal Disease and Paediatrics Faculties of the N. N. Burdenko Voronezh State Medical Academy, aged 21-26 years (mean age 21,9±0,1 years; 18 men and 54 women). The examination included a questionnaire survey on CVD RFs, a clinical assessment, and the measurement of hemodynamic parameters. ECG parameters, including such integral characteristics as "Myocardium", "Rhythm", and "Detail Code", were assessed both at rest and during the physical stress test, using the Cardiovisor 6C device. Results: All participants were divided into two groups. In the group with multiple CVD RFs, the distribution of these factors was as follows: 40% smoked (n=6), 53% consumed 2-3 drinks of alcohol per occasion (n=8), 40% had high normal blood pressure (BP) or Stage 1 elevation of B P, based on the office measurement data (n=6). Three (20%) and 4 (27%) students were overweight (OW) and obese (O; Stage I), respectively. Low physical activity (PA) was reported by 14 students (93%), and moderate to high levels of stress by 67% (n=10) and 33% (n=5), respectively. Immediately after the physical stress test and 2 minutes later, the "Myocardium" parameter was ≥17%, being significantly different from the values observed in students without multiple RFs. Abnormal values of the integral parameters of ventricular depolarisation and left ventricular repolarisation suggest the myocardial electrical heterogeneity among students with multiple CVD RFs. Conclusion: Students with multiple CVD RFs, such as smoking, alcohol, elevated B P, OW, Stage I O, moderate to high stress levels, and low PA, also demonstrated the myocardial electrical heterogeneity during the physical stress test.