EFFECTS OF ARECA NUT AND ITS PRODUCTS ON ELECTROCARDIOGRAM IN POPULATION OF NAWABSHAH SHAHEEDBENAIRABAD

Abstract

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of death worldwide. Diseases of cardiovascular system (CVD) at present records for almost 50% of no communicable diseases (NCDs).  OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of areca nut and its products on Electrocardiogram. MATERIAL & METHODS: This case control study was carried out at Physiology Department Peoples University of Medical and Health sciences, Shaheed Benazirabad. Total 368 study subjects were included. Case group comprised of 184 study subjects which were regular users of areca nut and its products like pan, gutkha, supari and mainpuri. In other group 184 healthy controls were selected who were non users’ of areca nut or its products.12 lead ECG of participants were performed by electrocardiograph. DURATION: From Jan 2018 to Jun 2018. PLACE: Nawabshah Shaheed Benazirabad. RESULT: Total 368 subjects were selected in the study in which 226 were Males (61.42%), 142were females (38.58%). Mean age of Case group areca nut users   was 25.61±5.25 years, and mean age of control group non users was 26.62±5.17 years. In Case group areca nut users, Gutkha users were 64 (34.8%), pan users 47(25.5%), Supari users 43 (23.4%) and Mainpuriusers 30 (16.3%). On comparing electrocardiogram in both groups, arrhythmia was more prevalent in areca nut and its products users, as there were 32 cases of arrhythmia as compare to 18 cases in control group. The most frequently found arrhythmia in areca nut and its products users was atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia, and in non-users frequently found arrhythmias are premature ventricular contraction, sinus tachycardia and sinus bradycardia. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that cardiac arrhythmias were found more prevalent in areca in areca nuts and its products users in comparison with control group non users of areca nut.