Characteristics of the sample population and cardiac echoscopy indications
| Demographic characteristics | Group A, n (%) | Group B, n (%) | p Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total number | 859 (65.5%) | 453 (34.5%) | |
| Age (years), mean±SD (range) | 67±15 (15–97) | 62±17 (16–92) | <0.001 |
| Male | 43.4% | 42.5% | 0.75 |
| Clinical history | |||
| Hypertension | 601 (70.0) | 269 (59.4) | 0.002 |
| Dyslipidaemia | 381 (44.4) | 180 (39.7) | 0.293 |
| DM | 214 (29.4) | 80 (17.7) | 0.042 |
| Smokers | 94 (10.9) | 55 (12.1) | 0.823 |
| Asthma/COPD | 86 (10) | 41 (9.1) | 0.872 |
| Stroke | 42 (4.9) | 12 (2.6) | 0.731 |
| Peripheral vascular disease | 27 (3.1) | 7 (1.5) | 0.818 |
| HCU study indication | |||
| Dyspnoea | 273 (31.8) | 129 (28.5) | 0.503 |
| Heart murmur | 222 (25.8) | 40 (8.8) | 0.019 |
| HBP | 148 (17.2) | 70 (15.4) | 0.738 |
| Palpitations | 59 (6.9) | 89 (19.6) | 0.031 |
| Chest pain | 58 (6.8) | 78 (17.2) | 0.072 |
| Oedema | 48 (5.6) | 18 (4) | 0.793 |
| Heart Failure | 26 (3) | 8 (1.8) | 0.855 |
| Syncope | 24 (2.8) | 20 (4.4) | 0.774 |
| Other | 1 (0.1) | 1 (0.2) | – |
COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; DM, diabetes mellitus; HBP, high blood pressure; HCU, hand-held cardiac ultrasound.