The association of metabolic syndrome and QRS|T angle in US adults (NHANES III)

• DOI: 10.1111/anec.12678
• Publication Date: 2019-07-30T11:54:49Z
• Authors: Leanna Delhey; Jing Jin; Susan Thapa; Robert Delongchamp; Mohammed F. Faramawi
• Keywords: Male; Metabolic Syndrome; 2. Zero hunger; Heart Diseases; Middle Aged; Health Surveys; United States; 3. Good health; Electrocardiography; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Female

AbstractBackgroundSpatial QRS|T angle is a predictor of cardiovascular events. Those with metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the association between metabolic syndrome and spatial QRS|T angle.MethodsWe obtained data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey III on 6,249 adults. We calculated spatial QRS|T angle from the standard 12‐lead electrocardiogram and classified it as abnormal, borderline, or normal. We identified metabolic syndrome if at least three of the following were present: abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, decreased high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), and impaired fasting glucose. We used weighted logistic regression to estimate the effect of metabolic syndrome and its components on QRS|T angle while stratifying by gender and adjusting for age, race, smoking status, heart rate, PR, QT, and QRS interval, and QRS amplitude.ResultsAmong men and women, metabolic syndrome, the number of components present, elevated blood pressure, and impaired fasting glucose were positively associated with QRS|T angle. Among women, decreased HDL and abdominal obesity were also positively associated with QRS|T angle.ConclusionsThis study suggests that persons with metabolic syndrome may be at increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias. The use of spatial QRS|T angle to assess this cardiovascular risk is warranted.