[Major and minor changes in the electrocardiogram of the hypertensive patient].

Objective: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of electrocardiograph deviation in such hypertensive patients.

Design: Retrospective descriptive study of a representative sample of patients with high blood pressure. SITE. Primary attention centre.

Patients: The sample consists of 352 patients, systematically random selected from a pool of 1780 patients suffering from hypertension, aged over 14 years, attending the centre (119 males (34%) and 233 females (66%). Average age 59.4 +/- 13.5 years).

Main Measurements And Results: The first ECG reading after diagnosis of hypertension was analysed and codified according to the pooling project criteria. 38.9% present electrocardiograph deviations, the most frequent being minor wave 1 (12%), significant breaking up of the ST (9%) and left ventricular hypertrophy (5.1%), the latter more frequent in women (p = 0.03). Age, systolic arterial blood pressure and the time the condition had been in existence, certain associated chronic diseases, and use of pharmaceutical drugs acting cardiovascularly, are positively related to the deviation in ECG (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The value of ECG in the treatment of high blood pressure sufferers is indicated.