Key result
P wave abnormalities were present in 36 of 76 hypertensive 50-year-old men and 41 of 152 normotensive controls, indicating they are not a reliable early sign to discriminate hypertensives.
Cross-Sectional (n=228)
Single-blind
No
P wave abnormalities on ECG are not a reliable early sign to discriminate hypertensives from normotensives, whereas the presence of multiple LVH criteria is more specific for hypertension.
An ECG study of P wave abnormalities and signs of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was performed in a series of 76 50-year-old men with hypertension detected in a population study. Two control groups were obtained from the same study. P wave abnormalities were common (36/76) among the hypertensives but were frequently seen also among the controls (41/152). Thus it seems that P wave abnormality, with the current criteria, is not a reliable early sign to discriminate hypertensives from persons with a normal blood pressure. High QRS voltage or left axis deviation was not uncommon in the control groups, while any combination of at least two criteria of LVH (high voltage, prolonged ventricular activation time, ST-T changes or left axis deviation) was far more common in the hypertensive group. In cases with high voltage as the single criterion of LVH examination of the P wave may be helpful to discriminate hypertensives from persons with a normal blood pressure.
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Åberg et al. (1974) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=228). Diastolic blood pressure ≥105 mmHg (Hypertension) vs. Diastolic blood pressure ≤100 mmHg (Controls) was evaluated on P wave abnormalities. P wave abnormalities were present in 36 of 76 hypertensive 50-year-old men and 41 of 152 normotensive controls, indicating they are not a reliable early sign to discriminate hypertensives.
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