Abnormal ECGs Predict CVD in Asymptomatic, Postmenopausal Women

Electrocardiographic abnormalities, whether minor or major, enhanced the predictive value of traditional risk assessment.

Men who present with electrocardiographic abnormalities are at increased risk for incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. To find out whether this association applies to women, researchers analyzed data from 14,749 asymptomatic, postmenopausal Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) participants (age 50–79): 66% had normal baseline ECGs, 28% had minor ECG abnormalities (e.g., nonspecific ST-segment changes), and 6% had major ECG abnormalities (e.g., atrial fibrillation, bundle-branch block).

During a mean follow-up of 5.6 years, annual CHD event rates per 10,000 women were 21 among those with normal baseline ECGs, 40 among those with minor ECG abnormalities, and 75 among those with major ECG abnormalities. Corr…

Reviewing Author

Mark S. Link, MD