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Although electrocardiogram abnormalities have been associated with incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), the prognostic value of ECGs in asymptomatic postmenopausal women is unknown. Researchers examined whether minor and major ECG abnormalities detected at baseline or thereafter were associated with the development of CHD or CVD events in 14,749 participants randomized to receive combined estrogen/progestin hormone therapy or placebo in the Women’s Health Initiative study (Journal Watch Women’s Health May 2 2006). Resting 12-lead ECGs were obtained at baseline and at 3 and 6 years’ follow-up.
Overall, 66% of the women had normal ECGs at baseline, whereas 28% and 6% had minor or major abnormalities, respecti…