Electrocardiogram (ECG) as a diagnostic tool for the assessment of Cardiovascular status in alcoholics

The Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a graphic recording of electric potentials gener-ated by the heart. It is a simple and noninvasive, inexpensive test helps in assessing the car-diovascular status. Alcohol consumption causes ECG changes. Therefore this study is un-dertaken to detect the ECG changes in alcoholics and thereby assessing the cardio vascular status. The study protocol was explained to the participants and informed consent taken. 50 Alcoholic men of age group above 20years, confirming to DSM-IV Criteria were randomly selected from the general population. 50 age matched Controls were taken for the study. The groups were subdivided into three groups according to age (in years) as 20–39 (n=22), 40-49 (n=16) and > 50 (n=12). The ECG was recorded in resting state in lying down position. The ECG results were analyzed for Heart rate, P wave, PR interval, QRS duration, QTC in-terval, frontal axis, ST segment, T wave and TP interval. The results showed significantly increase in Heart rate and decrease in PR interval, QRS complex and TP intervals in alco-holic subjects. On comparison of subgroups, alcoholic subjects do not show statistically sig-nificant results. Our study results show cardiovascular risk in alcoholics. Therefore, earlier detection of ECG changes is useful in preventing the cardiovascular risk