Prevalence of abnormalities of electrocardiogram in old people

Abstract

The electrocardiograms of 2254 people aged 65 or over and living at home have been classified according to the Minnesota code. 62 per cent of records showed no significant abnormality. The proportion was slightly less in men than in women, andfell sharply with age. Q/QS patterns were seen in 6 per cent, twice as commonly in men as in women. ST-T abnornalities (8%) were commoner in women, as were left ventricular hypertrophy patterns (9%). The mostfrequent conduction defects were left bundle-branch block, right bundle-branch block, left anterior hemiblock, and incomplete right bundl-branch block, each of which was present in I14-2'0 per cent. Atrial fibrillation was present in 2 per cent under the age of 75, and Sper cent over that age. The findings are discussed in the light of other studies of randon samples of old people.