Electrocardiographic findings in a group of physically active young adults who reside at 2,600 meters above the sea level: an exploratory study

Purpose: The physiological adaptations to regular physical activity and hypobaric hypoxia associated with high-altitude res-idence are related to a series of cardiovascular adaptations thatcan generate electrocardiographic modifications. This study aimed todescribe the principal findings and determine the mean values of the electrocardiographic parameters in a group of physicallyactive young adults who reside at 2600 meters above sea level. Methods: 49 young, physically active subjects (11 women) in a SportsSciences program participated in the study. Each participant was subjected to a medical interview, a physical examination, and a resting elec-trocardiogram. Two physicians analyzed the electrocardiogram,searching for criteria of anatomical or physiological abnormalities;a descriptive analysis of the duration of waves and intervals and the amplitude of the Pand Twaves was also carried out. Results: The mean values of the electrocardiographic parameters were between the expected values. The principal findings involve sinus bradycardia and changes associated with the right side of the heart: incomplete right bundle branch block, right QRS axis deviation, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Conclusions: The findings of this study are related to other studies that describe changes in the right side of the heart in inhabitants of high altitude and sinus bradycardia in physically active subjects and, in some cases, in high-altitude residents. Every young dweller of the altitude whoengages in physical activity should be submitted to a resting electrocardiogram, considering thehigh probability of finding changes in the electrocardiogramof asymptomatic patientsthat mayrequire further exploration.

• Autores: Rojas-Valencia, Jaime Tomás; Higuera Dagovett, Elkin; Vega LLamas, Rodolfo; Prieto Mondragon, Laura del Pilar; Buitrago Espitia, Jorge Enrique; Rodríguez Buitrago, Jeansy Alonso
• Tipo de recurso: Article of investigation
• Fecha de publicación: 2024
• Institución: Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales U.D.C.A
• Repositorio: Repositorio Institucional UDCA
• Idioma: eng
• OAI Identifier: oai:repository.udca.edu.co:11158/6041
• Acceso en línea: https://repository.udca.edu.co/handle/11158/6041; https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v59.103145
• Palabra clave: 610 - Medicina y salud; Electrocardiografía; Hipoxia; Ejercicio Físico; Gran altura
• Rights: openAccess
• License: hhh