Saulette R. Queen, Beverly Smulevitz, Anne R. Rentfro, Kristina P. Vatcheva, David D. McPherson, Susan P. Fisher-Hoch, Joseph B. McCormick, Susan T. Laing^*

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Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, Houston, USA.
College of Nursing, University of Texas at Brownsville, Brownsville, USA.
Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Health, University of Texas School of Public Health, Brownsville Campus, Brownsville, USA.
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Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Resting ischemic electrocardiographic abnormalities have been associated with cardio-vascular mortality. Simple markers of abnormal autonomic tone have also been associated with diabetes, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome in some populations. Data on these electrocardiographic abnormalities and correlations with coronary risk factors are lacking among Mexican Americans wherein these conditions are prevalent. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalent resting electrocardiographic abnormalities among community-dwelling Mexican Americans, and to correlate these findings with coronary risk factors, particularly diabetes, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Study subjects (n = 1280) were drawn from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort comprised of community-dwelling Mexican Americans living in Brownsville, Texas at the United States-Mexico border. Ischemic electro-cardiographic abnormalities were defined as presence of ST/T wave abnormalities suggestive of ischemia, abnormal Q waves, and left bundle branch block. Parameters that reflect autonomic tone, such as heart rate-corrected QT interval and resting heart rate, were also measured. RESULTS: Ischemic electrocar-diographic abnormalities were more prevalent among older persons and those with hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome. Subjects in the highest quartiles of QTc interval and resting heart rate were also more likely to have diabetes, hypertension, obesity, or the metabolic syndrome. CONCLU- SIONS: Among Mexican Americans, persons with diabetes, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome were more likely to have ischemic electrocardiographic abnormalities, longer QTc intervals, and higher resting heart rates. A resting electrocardiogram can play a complementary role in the comprehensive evaluation of cardiovascular risk in this minority population.

Keywords: Electrocardiogram; Minority; Mexican American; Coronary Risk Factors; Diabetes Mellitus; Obesity; Metabolic Syndrome; Health Disparity

Cite this paper: Queen, S. , Smulevitz, B. , Rentfro, A. , Vatcheva, K. , McPherson, D. , Fisher-Hoch, S. , McCormick, J. and Laing, S. (2012) Electrocardiographic abnormalities among Mexican Americans: Correlations with diabetes, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome. World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 2, 50-56. doi: 10.4236/wjcd.2012.22009.

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