EVALUATION OF 12-LEAD ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG) IN ATHLETES AND NON-ATHLETES IN ZARIA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in well-trained athletes is most often superimposed on the presence of structural heart disease. However, some athletes die suddenly in the absence of overt heart disease. This study investigated resting electrocardiograms from 150 athletic subjects taken in the same laboratory and compared them with electrocardiograms recorded in 100 nonathletes with similar anthropometric parameters, with the aim of comparing the electrocardiographic patterns or distinctive abnormalities between different groups of athletes and non-athletes. Methods: All subjects underwent the same non invasive cardiac investigations with electrocardiography. The athletes represent sport disciplines requiring predominatly isotonic (dynamic) or endurance exercise and isometric (static) exercise. Results: The common findings were significant sinus bradycardia (36%), first degree A-V block (4.7%), right and left axis deviation (2.7% and 8% respectively) according to voltage criteria which were all higher in athletes compared to non-athletes. On the other hand, right bundle branch block (2%), prolonged QT interval (1.3%) and Elevation of J point (9.3%) were only seen among the athletes. Conclusion: There was a correlation between gender and the development of ventricular hypertrophy (p<0.05). Pre-participation cardiovascular screening is an important step towards the prevention of SCD even among apparently healthy athletes.