Pattern of Arrhythmia among Hypertensive Patients in South-South, Nigeria: A 24-H Ambulatory ECG (Holter ECG) Study

Background: Regular 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) often fail to detect cardiac conduction abnormalities. Among hypertensive patients, conduction irregularities such as atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia are recognized occurrences and these can be intermittent or asymptomatic. This study aims to evaluate the conduction abnormalities identified among hypertensives by Holter ECG in a private medical facility in South-South, Nigeria.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of five hundred and thirteen patients consisting of 255 males and 258 females Holter ECG who presented at a private medical facility from January 2015- December 2016. Holter ECG data was acquired using Schiller type (MT-101) Holter ECG Machine.

Results: Out of the 370 hypertensive patients reviewed, with a mean age of 55.18 ±.14.78, 205(55.41%) had tachycardia, 180(48.65%) had bradycardia, 184(49.73%) had ventricular ectopics while 169(45.68%) had supraventricular ectopics. The most common clinical indication was palpitation 150 (40.54%). The most prevalent age group was 41-60 years; 230 (44.83%) as compared to other age groups in the study. Tachycardia was the most common type of arrhythmia among the subjects. There was a higher incidence of arrhythmias in the female subjects than in the male.

Conclusion: Tachycardia and ventricular ectopics were the most common conduction abnormalities observed. Beta blockers and anti-arrhythmics would be helpful for optimization of cardiovascular care. Holter ECG is beneficial in describing and characterizing arrhythmias in hypertensive patients in this population therefore, further studies on larger populations and diverse disease conditions are advocated.