A large population‐based study on the prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormalities: A result of Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerotic disorder cohort study

BACKGROUND: Twelve‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is a common and inexpensive tool for the diagnostic workup of patients with suspected cardiovascular disease, both in clinical and epidemiological settings. The present study was designed to evaluate ECG abnormalities in Mashhad population. METHODS: ECGs were taken as part of MASHAD cohort study (phase1) and were coded according to the Minnesota coding criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: Total 9035 ECGs were available for final analysis including 3615 (40.0%) male and 5420 (60.0%) female. Among ECG abnormalities precordial Q wave, major T‐wave abnormalities, inferior Q wave, sinus bradycardia, and left axis deviation were the most prevalent abnormalities. The frequency of precordial and inferior Q wave, inferior QS pattern, major and minor ST abnormalities, major and minor T abnormalities, Wolff‐Parkinson‐White and Brugada pattern, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, left axis deviation, ST elevation, and tall T wave were significantly different between two genders. Moreover, the frequency of Q wave in precordial and aVL leads, QS pattern in precordial and inferior leads, major and minor T‐wave abnormalities, Wolff‐Parkinson‐White, atrial fibrillation, sinus bradycardia, left axis deviation, and ST elevation were significantly different in different age groups. A comparison of the heart rate, P‐wave duration, and QRS duration between men and women indicated that there was a significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding indicated that the prevalence ECG abnormalities are different between men and women and also it varied in different age groups.