Age and gender differences of electrocardiographic basic values and
abnormalities in general adult population; Tehran Cohort Study
Abstract
Introduction Although several studies are available regarding
baseline Electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters, major and minor ECG
abnormalities, there is a big controversy regarding their age and gender
differences in literature, thus we aimed to investigate any possible age
or gender ECG discrepancies in general adult population.
Methods Data of 7630 adults aged ≥35 years from Tehran Cohort
Study who were registered between March 2016 to March 2019 were
collected. ECG basic values, major, and minor ECG abnormalities-defined
according to the Minnesota Code-were analyzed and compared between
genders, and four distinct age groups. Odds ratio of having any major
ECG abnormality between males, and females stratified by age, and number
of cardiovascular risk factors was calculated. Results ECG
information of 7630 participants was available. The average age was 53.6
(±12.66), and women made up 54.2% (n=4132) of subjects. The average
heart rate (HR) was higher among women(p<0.0001), while the
average values of QRS duration, P wave duration, and RR intervals were
higher among men(p<0.0001). Major ECG abnormalities were
observed in 2.9% of study population (with right bundle branch block,
left bundle branch block, and Atrial Fibrillation being the most common)
and were more prevalent among men compared to women (3.1% vs 2.7%
p=0.188). Moreover, minor abnormalities were observed in 25.9% of study
population, and again were more prevalent among men (36.4% vs 17%
p<0.001). Prevalence of major ECG abnormalities was
significantly higher in participants older than 65 years old, and
participants who had ≥3 conventional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors.
Conclusion Basic ECG values is different in male and female
general population. In addition, major and minor ECG abnormalities were
roughly more prevalent in male subjects. In both genders, odds of having
major ECG abnormalities surges with increase in number of conventional
CV risk factors and age.