Lyerly, G. William; Sui, Xuemei; Church, Timothy S.; Lavie, Carl J.; Hand, Gregory A.; Blair, Steven N.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between abnormal exercise electrocardiographic (E-ECG) test results and mortality (all-cause and that resulting from coronary heart disease [CHD] or cardiovascular disease [CVD]) In a large population of asymptomatic men with metabolic syndrome (MetS).; PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 9191 men (mean age, 46.9 years) met the criteria of having MetS. All completed a maximal E-ECG treadmill test (May 14, 1979, through April 9, 2001) and were without a previous CVD event or diabetes at baseline. Main outcomes were all-cause mortality, mortality due to CHD. and mortality due to CVD. Cox regression analysis was used to quantify the mortality risk according to E-ECG responses.; RESULTS During a follow-up of 14 years, 633 deaths (242 CVD and 150 CHD) were identified. Mortality rates and hazard ratios (HRs) across E-ECG responses were the following: for all-cause mortality: HR. 1.36: 95% confidence Interval (CI), 1.09-1.70 for equivocal responses and HR, 1.41; 95% Cl, 1.1.2-1.77 for abnormal responses (P-trend<.001); for mortality due to CVD: HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.88-1.88 for equivocal responses and HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.46-2.84 for abnormal responses (P-trend<.001); and for mortality due to CHD: HR. 1.62; 95% CI, 1.02-2.56 for equivocal responses and HR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.62-3.69 for abnormal responses (P-trend<.001). A positive gradient for CHD, CVD. and all-cause mortality rates across E-ECG categories within 3, 4, or 5 MetS components was observed (P<.001 for all).; CONCLUSION. Among men with MetS, an abnormal E-ECG response was associated with higher risk of all-cause, CVD, and CHD mortality. These findings underscore the Importance of E-ECG tests to identify men with MetS who are at risk of dying.
