Electrocardiography Findings in Iranian Premier League Football Players

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading cause of death in athletes during sport. Electrocardiography (ECG) is a useful tool to detect underlying cardiovascular conditions that may increase the risk for SCD. The aim of the present study is to evaluate common ECG changes among professional football players.Materials and Methods: All football players of Iranian Premier League in season 2013-2014 participated in this descriptive study (258 football players). The standard 12-lead ECGs were evaluated and ECG analysis was performed according to previously described criteria.Results: Electrocardiogram evaluation showed that the percent of ECG changes was as follows; Inverted T (7.7%), Depression ST (2.3%), Bradycardia (0.3%), St Elevation (2.7%), Left ventricular hypertrophy (1.5%), Left bundle branch block (0.3%), Incomplete right bundle branch (0.3%), Incomplete left anterior bundle (0.8%), branch Incomplete left posterior bundle branch (1.1%), Wolf Parkinson white (0.3%), Left axis deviation (1.5), Right axis deviation (2.3%), ECG finding in favor of HCM (3.1%) and finally ECG finding in favor of IHD(10%).Conclusion: Most electrocardiographic variables in Iranian professional football players were lower than the worldwide football players that may be related to the lower level of physical fitness among Iranian football players.