Routine ECG screening beneficial for early prevention of CVD events, suggests JAMA study

Over a median follow-up of 5.5 years, participants with ECG abnormalities showed significantly higher rates of overall death and CVD hospital admissions:

• FDA grants marketing authorization to First Syphilis Screening Test for At-Home UseIncidence rates per 10,000 person-years: 92.7 (normal ECG), 128.5 (1 minor abnormality), 159.7 (≥2 minor abnormalities), and 266.3 (major abnormality).

• Adjusted hazard ratios: 1.19 (1 minor abnormality), 1.37 (≥2 minor abnormalities), and 1.96 (major abnormality).

Additionally, the presence of minor ECG abnormalities was strongly linked to developing new major ECG abnormalities:

• Incidence rates per 10,000 person-years: 85.1 (normal ECG), 217.2 (1 minor abnormality), and 306.4 (≥2 minor abnormalities).

• Adjusted hazard ratios: 2.52 (1 minor abnormality) and 3.61 (≥2 minor abnormalities).

These associations persisted regardless of baseline cardiovascular risk, highlighting the predictive value of ECG in identifying individuals at higher risk of cardiovascular events.

The findings underscore the potential role of routine ECG screening in identifying early signs of cardiovascular risk among working-age adults. In conclusion, this study provides evidence supporting the use of routine ECG screening as a valuable tool for early detection and prevention of cardiovascular events in the working-age population.

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