Periodicity of arrhythmias in healthy elderly men at the moderate altitude

Abstract

The 24-hour periodicity of supraventricular (SVPB) and ventricular (VEB) extrasystoles in healthy elderly men (age 49-69 years) was studied at two altitudes during 24 h Holter ECG monitoring. At the low altitude (200 m, n = 26), SVPB were more frequent than VEB. The highest occurrence of SVPB was at 17:00 h, the lowest at 01:00 and 02:00 h (P<0.001). The highest occurrence of VEB was at 09:00 h, the lowest one at 04:00 h (P<0.001). At 1350 m (n=9) the incidence of both SVPB and VEB was approximately twofold higher compared to that at the low altitude (P<0.001). The highest occurrence of SVPB was at 13:00 h, the lowest at 06:00 h (P<0.001). VEB were the most frequent at 10:00 h and 13:00 h, while the lowest frequency was observed at 06:00 h (P<0.001). Our results indicate that the incidence of SVPB and VEB in healthy persons at the moderate altitude is twofold and its periodicity is shifted compared to the low altitude. The cause of increased occurrence of extrasystoles is probably due to beta-adrenergic activation of the heart at the higher altitude.