Electrocardiographic ST-T Abnormities Are Associated With Stroke Risk in the REGARDS Study

• DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.119.028069
• Publication Date: 2020-03-18T18:56:18Z
• Authors: Mitsuaki Sawano; Ya Yuan; Shun Kohsaka; Taku Inohara; Takeki Suzuki; Tomonori Okamura; George Howard; Virginia J. Howard; Suzanne Judd; Elsayed Z. Soliman; Mary Cushman
• Keywords: Stroke

Background and Purpose— In previous studies, isolated nonspecific ST-segment T-wave abnormalities (NSSTTAs), a common finding on ECGs, were associated with greater risk for incident coronary artery disease. Their association stroke remains unclear. Methods— The REGARDS (Reasons Geographic Racial Differences in Stroke) study is population-based, longitudinal of 30 239 white black adults enrolled from 2003 to 2007 the United States. NSSTTAs defined baseline ECG using standards Minnesota Classification (Minnesota codes 4-3, 4-4, 5-3, or 5-4). Participants prior stroke, heart disease, major minor other than excluded analysis. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used examine calculate hazard ratios ischemic by presence NSSTTAs. Results— Among 14 077 participants, 3111 (22.1%) had at baseline. With median 9.6 years follow-up, 106 (3.4%) compared 258 (2.4%) without age-adjusted incidence rates (per 1000 person-years) 2.93 those 2.19 them. Adjusting age, sex, race, geographic location, education level, 32% higher (hazard ratio, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.05–1.67]). additional adjustment factors, increased 27% 1.27 1.00–1.62]) did not differ sex. Conclusions— Presence persons an otherwise normal future stroke.