Gauhar Hussain1, Ibrahim Farooque2
BACKGROUND
Obesity affects the different organ systems of our body and has been recognized as a key risk factor for many diseases Most of the abnormalities of cardiovascular system, developing as a result of obesity, reflect alterations in cardiac morphology or conduction defects. These abnormalities are reflected in ECG as prolongation of various intervals. The aim of the study was to find the association between obesity and these ECG markers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
96 healthy males of age group 20-39 years were included in the study. Relevant medical history and anthropometric variables were taken. Subjects were divided into normal, overweight and obese groups based on BMI. The body fat percentages were calculated after taking skinfold measurement. ECG recording was done for each subject and different parameters were calculated.
RESULTS
QT and QTc intervals were found to be significantly higher in obese subjects compared to normal as well as overweight subjects. Significant, positive correlation was found between QT, QTc, Tpe and parameters of obesity i.e. BMI, WHR and body fat %.
CONCLUSION
Obesity leads to lengthening of ventricular action potential as shown by increased QT and QTc interval.
KEYWORDS
Obesity, B.M.I., Body Fat %, ECG, QT Interval, QTc Interval
