Association between body composition components and electrocardiogram parameters: results from the Fasa Adults Cohort Study (FACS)

Abstract

Abstract Objective Cardiovascular diseases as the leading cause of death and disability are increasing worldwide. The present study aimed to investigate the association between total body water, total fat percent, and trunk fat percent with electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters in the Persian Fasa Adult Cohort Study (FACS). Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on the baseline information obtained from 3217 35–70-year-old participants of the FACS, southern Iran. Various ECG and body composition parameters were obtained from the FACS baseline database. Independent t-test, Chi-square test and linear regression were used for data analysis. Results Total body water (TBW) was positively associated with QRS length in men and women, and with PD and PR interval in women, exclusively. Additionally, in participants without chronic diseases (healthy group), TBW was shown to be positively associated with QRS length and PD; however, it was associated with QRS length and S wave in V3 lead (SV3) among those with type two diabetes, hypertension or ischemic heart disease (defined as unhealthy group). Total body fat percent (TBFP) was linearly associated with SV3 in unhealthy group. None of the studied ECG parameters was associated with TBFP in men, women and healthy group. Moreover, trunk fat percent was shown to be positive associated with R wave in aVL lead in women and unhealthy groups. Conclusion Body fat percentage and fat distribution may affect ECG parameters, and subsequently associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as arrhythmias. Thus, these indicators may carry the potential for screening high-risk individuals.

Keywords

• Electrocardiography
• Body composition
• Body water
• Total fat percent
• Trunk fat percent