IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-10-22886 Original Research Paper STUDY OF ECG ABNORMALITIES IN ASYMPTOMATIC LONG DISTANCE RUNNERS Sourabh Mohakuda Dr. October 2019 8 10 01 02 ABSTRACT

Background ECG abnormalities in asymptomatic individuals may be the first sign of an underlying structural or functional cardiac defect. in a population with low pre test probability for coronary artery disease having ECG abnormalities , an 2D Echo and a Treadmill test would suffice to rule out cardiac dysfunction. Objective To study the prevalence of ECG abnormality in asymptomatic long distance runners and to correlate possible significant cardiac abnormality using 2D ECHO and TMT. Methods . A total of 1900 individuals who were long distance runners, were studied over a period of 4 years (2015 – 2019). The population was divided into 2 groups i.e. greater than or less than 40 years of age. A 12 lead ECG was done on all of them with rate of 25mm/min and 10 millivolt voltage. These ECGs were studied for abnormalities. Results The prevalence of ECG abnormality detected in Group 1(less than 40 years of age) was 18.43% and Group 2(more than 40 years of age) it was 18.52%. Overall abnormality detected was 18.47% in this study. Excluding sinus bradycardia (long distance runners with high vagal tone) and LVH which do not fill the Romhilt Estes criteria, the overall abnormality was 107(9.62%) in Group 1 and 118 (14.97%) in Group 2. The common abnormalities were early repolarisation pattern, axis deviations and bundle branch blocks. Conclusions ECG abnormalities in our study population turned benign on further evaluation. Whether these ECG changes were akin to the changes in general population or due to the physical stress of long distance running remains debatable. It can be deduced by repeating the ECGs after a period of cessation from running for 3–6 months in future studies.