The Effect of Meals on the Electrocardiogram and the Ballistocardiogram in Patients with Angina Pectoris

Abstract

The effect of meals on the electrocardiogram and the ballistocardiogram was studied in 59 patients with angina of effort. Approximately one-fourth of the group showed a 0.5 to 1.0 mm. depression of the S-T segment, while the normal controls did not show this change. Premature ventricular contractions and inversion of the T wave were found more frequently in patients with angina following meals than in normal individuals. The patients with angina were unable to increase the cardiac output significantly following meals as compared to normal individuals. It is suggestetd that these findings may prove to be of value in evaluating cardiac function in patients with angina.