Characteristics of electrocardiogram U wave in 261 pilots

AIM: To explore the characteristics and clinical significance of electrocardiogram (ECG) U wave in pilots. METHODS: PE cardiograms of 261 pilots were analyzed and the ECG U waves under different heart rates (HR) and different blood pressures were compared. RESULTS: U wave was observed in most pilots (85.4%) and abnormal U wave rate was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01). HR ≤80/min had little influence on U wave and U wave voltage, but HR >80/min markedly reduced U wave and U wave voltage (both P<0.01). The rate of abnormal U wave increased and U wave voltage decreased with the elevation of blood pressure. CONCLUSION: U wave appears in most pilots and abnormal U wave rate is high. Abnormal U wave is related to hypertension.