Abnormal Electrocardiograms in Apparently Healthy People

Abstract

Changes in the ecg provided the first evidence of underlying myocardial disease in 15 or 47% of 32 cases in which it was later possible to confirm the diagnosis. In 5 subjects who were symptomless or who presented an atypical clinical picture the routine ecg established that unrecognized transmural myocardial infarction had occurred. Evidence is presented to show that primary T-wave changes may indicate the presence of asymptomatic coronary artery disease. In the present state of knowledge the practical value of this finding is limited.