Objective: To evaluate relationships between fasting plasma glucose (FPG), other cardiovascular risk markers and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) as detected by electrocardiography.
Methods: Subjects were selected randomly from groups defined by FPG. Traditional risk markers were assessed. LVH was defined by either Cornell voltage-duration product (CP) or Sokolow-Lyon voltage combination (SL), and univariate and multivariable regressions were performed in search of explanatory factors for the presence of LVH and the values of CP and SL.
Results: Of the 1759 subjects included, 1007 had a history of cardiovascular disease and/or medical treatment, while 752 subjects appeared to be healthy. We found an independent association between FPG and LVH (odds ratio 1.152, p = 0.042] as well as continuous CP (beta = 0.126, p = 0.007) in healthy men. As expected, we found an association between systolic blood pressure and LVH (odds ratio 1.020, p < 0.001) among healthy subjects, but only in subjects with FPG < 6 mmol/l (p = 0.04 for interaction).
Conclusions: We found an independent association between FPG and LVH in healthy men, and no potentiating effect by FPG on the impact of hypertension.
Keywords: Aged; diabetes mellitus; electrocardiography; glucose; hypertension; left ventricular hypertrophy.