Publication: The Postural Effects on Electrical Activities of Heart in Apparently Healthy Young Adults
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
The electrical activities of heart recorded as electrocardiogram (ECG) are mostly
done in supine postures. The body postural changes have effects in these electrical
activities in heart which needs to be properly recognized.
Objective
To find the variations in electrocardiogram during postural changes from supine to
upright i.e. sitting and standing postures among apparently healthy young adults.
Method
A cross sectional study was carried out in Manipal College of Medical Sciences after
the institutional ethical clearance. The apparently healthy 30 Nepalese male medical
students between 18-25 years of age were enrolled. The electrocardiography was
elicited in supine, sitting and standing postures in the participants after 5 minutes’
interval between each procedure in each participant.
Result
The highest mean amplitudes of Q wave were seen in sitting postures (0.12±0.04
mm), R wave in standing postures (1.46±0.55 mm) and S wave also in standing
postures (0.23±0.2 mm). The mean amplitudes of Q and S waves showed statistically
significant difference when compared between supine and upright postures. The
maximum QRS duration was found while sitting (0.08±0.01 ms)and maximum heart
rate in standing posture (82.43±10.59/min). The mean comparison of heart rate
was statistically highly significant when compared between supine and standing
postures. The mean QRS frontal axis was comparatively increased while standing
(64.30±39.29).
Conclusion
The electrical activities of heart vary during postural changes among apparently
healthy young adults. These changes are most prominent when compared
between supine and standing postures which urges for careful interpretation of
electrocardiogram if it is done in upright postures.
KEY WORDS
Electrocardiogram, Heart, Postures
Description
Chaudhary S,1 Ranamagar R,2 Shrestha L,1 Pun DB,3 Karmacharya P,2 Mahotra NB1
1Department of Clinical Physiology
Maharajgunj Medical Campus
Institute of Medicine
Kathmandu, Nepal
2Department of Physiology
Manipal College of Medical Sciences
Pokhara, Nepal
3Department of Physiology
Karnali Academy of Health Sciences
Karnali, Nepal
Keywords
Electrocardiogram, Heart, Postures