Electrocardiograms and 13 year cardiovascular mortality in Busselton study.

In 2119 unselected Busselton subjects 40 to 79 years of age, the 13 year mortality from cardiovascular disease was significantly higher in those whose initial electrocardiogram showed Q and QS patterns, left axis deviation, ST depression, T wave depression, flat or biphasic T waves, atrial fibrillation or flutter, and ventricular extrasystoles. In angina-free subjects whose electrocardiographic codes occurred in isolation from any other electrocardiographic abnormality, ventricular extrasystoles were associated with significantly higher mortality from cardiovascular disease compared with controls.