ARYA Atherosclerosis Journal

Association between egg consumption and major and minor ischemia changes on electrocardiogram: A population-based study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Najmeh Seifi 1
Sara Saffar Soflaei 2, 3
Muhammad Islampanah 4
Hossein Hatamzadeh 1
Bahareh Payami 3
Mahsa Ammarlou 4
Farnaz farrokhzadeh 3
Habibollah Esmaily 3
Sara Yousefian 2, 3
Helia Rezaeifard 5
Gordon A. Ferns 6
Mohsen Moohebati 3, 7
Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan 2, 3

1 Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 International UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

5 Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Social Determinants of Health Research center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

6 Division of Medical Education, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex, UK

7 Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

https://doi.org/10.48305/arya.2025.43549.3036
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Eggs, while nutrient-rich, have high cholesterol content. The link between egg consumption and cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains debated. This study investigates how egg intake correlates with minor and major electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, which serve as potential indicators of CVD.
METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 5,928 participants without cardiovascular disease (CVD), aged between 35 and 65 years, were included. Dietary egg consumption was evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. The Minnesota coding system was employed to identify minor and major ischemic abnormalities on ECG. Odds ratios (ORs) for major and minor ischemic patterns across different egg consumption categories were calculated using multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS: Using several statistical models, this study showed that higher egg consumption was associated with lower odds of isolated major ECG abnormalities in men, but not in women. In the fully adjusted model, consuming more than four eggs per week, compared to the lowest category (<1/week), was correlated with a 40% decrease in the odds of major ischemic changes on ECG in men (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.39–0.93). Regarding minor ischemic abnormalities, there was no significant association with egg consumption in either women or men.
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a gender-specific effect of egg consumption on the presence of major ischemic changes on ECG. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and to inform tailored dietary guidelines for different populations.

Keywords

Cardiovascular Disease
Egg, Electrocardiography
Ischemia
Q Wave
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ARYA Atherosclerosis Journal
Volume 21, Issue 3
May and June 2025
Pages 5-15

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