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The association of electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities with cardiovascular disease and risk factors has been extensively studied in whites and African-Americans. Comparable data have not been reported in Hispanics/Latinos. The Hispanic Community Health Study/ Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) is a multicenter, community-based, prospective cohort study of men and women of diverse backgrounds aged 18 to 74 years who self-identified as Hispanic/Latinos. Participants (n = 16,415) enrolled from March 2008 to June 2011. We describe the prevalence of minor and major ECG abnormalities and examined their cross-sectional associations with cardiovascular disease and risk factors. The Minnesota code criteria were used to define minor and major ECG abnormalities. Previous cardiovascular disease and risk factors were based on data obtained at baseline examination. Significant differences in prevalent ECG findings were found between men and women. Major ECG abnormalities were present in 9.2% (95% confidence interval 8.3 to 10.1) of men and 6.6% (95% confidence interval 5.8 to 7.3) of women (p <0.0001). The odds of having major ECG abnormalities significantly increased with age, presence of ≥3 cardiovascular risk factors, and prevalent cardiovascular disease, in both men and women. Significant differences in major ECG abnormalities were found among the varying groups; Puerto Ricans and Dominicans had more major abnormalities compared with Mexican men and women. In conclusion, in a large cohort of Hispanic/Latino men and women, prevalence of major abnormalities was low, yet strong associations of major ECG abnormalities with cardiovascular disease and risk factors were observed in both men and women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Hispanic Community Health Study (HCHS)/Study of Latinos (SOL) is a comprehensive multicenter community based cohort study of Hispanics/Latinos in the United States. Methods: The Study rationale, objectives, design, and implementation are described in this report. Results: The HCHS/SOL will recruit 16,000 men and women who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino, 18 to 74 years of age, from a random sample of households in defined communities in the Bronx, Chicago, Miami, and San Diego. The sites were selected so that the overall sample would consist of at least 2000 persons in each of the following origin designations: Mexican, Puerto Rican and Dominican, Cuban, and Central and South American. The study includes research in the prevalence of and risk factors for heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders, kidney and liver function, diabetes, cognitive function, dental conditions, and hearing disorders. Conclusions: The HCHS/SOL will (1) characterize the health status and disease burden in the largest minority population in the United States; (2) describe the positive and negative consequences of immigration and acculturation of Hispanics/Latinos to the mainstream United States life-styles, environment and health care opportunities; and (3) identify likely causal factors of many diseases in a population with diverse environmental exposures, genetic backgrounds, and early life experiences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]