Normal limits of the electrocardiogram in Indians

•First large study of ECGs in apparently healthy South Asians.•Automated ECG analysis was used.•Normal limits of the ECG in South Asian population were derived.•Results indicate that diagnostic criteria currently used for Caucasians need not be altered for use in South Asians.

AimsThe objective of the study was to develop normal limits of the ECG in an apparently healthy population of South Asians living in India.MethodsThree centres contributed to recording 12 lead ECGs on identical digital electrocardiographs. Apparently healthy volunteers were recruited and ECGs were first transferred to a local database and then to Glasgow where all ECGs were analysed by the same University of Glasgow ECG Interpretation Program.ResultsA total of 963 individuals were recruited into the study (30.4% female) with an age range of 18-83 years. QRS duration was longer in males than females, QT interval was longer in females than males, and QRS voltages in general were higher in males than females and in younger compared to older individuals.ConclusionFindings in general paralleled those in other populations and suggested that criteria for a white Caucasian population could be applied to a South Asian Indian population.