24
axis deviation was normal or to the right in most
uidividuals. Lett axis deviation, and onty of modcrate degree, was present ensix individuals, two in
the younger unexposed group, three in the older
unexposed group. and one in the older ¢x posed
vroup. Phe elecerical position of the heart ina
“reat majority al both the unexposed and exposed
subjects was vertical, fn 22 subjects it was intermediate and in 9 (all unexposed) it was moderalely horontal, Rotation of the heart electrically
in the combined groups was clockwise in 25 sub-
jects and counterclockwise in 3b, with about equal
distribution between the exposed and unexposed
urOUps.
4. RSTandT Waves. Abnormal variations were
carelully noted tor indications of coronary or myocardial jnsulficiency and; or mvocardial disease or
damage. Deviations of the RST segment trom the
isoelectric line were found to be mininal; they occurred in only five of the 84 unexposed subjects
wid incoaly one of the 38 exposed subjects. PF wave
abnormalities were of appreciable degree in only a
lew instances in the older group. The abnorinalities
were Chiefly io lower To waves and were related to
livpertensive discase. T wave changes were most
wiarked ina 9l-year-old male ( 280) of the ex-
posed group, who had arteriosclerotic heart discause and auricular tibrillauon. Marked RST and
i wave changes were noted in an 8l-year-old
male ( 246) of the exposed group, who had
marked hypertensive and arteriosclerone cardiovascular disease, and had prolonged auriculoventricular conduction time as noted above.
\mong the unexposed population there was evideace of myocardial insufficiency according to
RST and T wave changes in a 5t-year-old male
. 3947), a O4-vear-old female ( #861), a 55-yearold mate (993), a o4-year-old female ( #858),
and a o¢-year-old male (884); the last had
. hanges sufficient to indicate a healed anterior
«cptal cardiac infarct.
Other Cardiovascular Observations
1. Peripheral Vascular Findings. Clinical estitiation was made of the degree ofarterial changes
athe peripheral vessels (radial, brachaal, and dorsalis pedis). “Che degree of abnormality was graded
by Oto #+ sclerosis (sce section on aging studies).
Arteriosclerosis was seen chiclhy in subjects © 50
tee car of deen both exposed aiid) timex posed groupes.
fowas not marked exceptindgurmdiiduals
70
years of age in the exposed group, and then toa
degree compatible with ave Since there were no
individuals examined in the unexposed group
“70 years of age for comparison, any assumption
that the arteriosclerosis was increased in these lour
individuals by their exposure to fallout radiation is
unwarranted. Ouherwise the presence and the
amount of artertosclerosis was fairly well distributed between both populations, as can be seen in
‘Table 14. [t was not observed in a degree premature or advanced for the given age.
2. Arterial Blood Pressures.
Blood pressures
greater than 140 systolic and 90 diastolic were
considered abnormal. On this basis in the exposed
group none of the 24 subjects < 50 ofage and seven
of the 16 subjects >>50 had hypertension, but
mostly of muld degree. There were 17 cases ot hypertenston tn the unexposed group, 2 in those < 50
years of age and 15 in those >50. The diastolic
blood pressure showed only infrequent increase
above the level of 90 mm; as would be expected,
this occurred chietly in the older group. The overall incidence of hypertensionfor the total popuiation examined was 9.2%.
3. Oscillometry Readings. Observations were
taken on the legs at the mid-calf. In almost all
subjects the pulsation was sufficient to indicate
normal blood flaw. Although the readings were
lower in the Marshallese than might be expected
in Caucasians, it appeared that peripheral vascu‘Table tb
Ophthalmological Findings ('¢ Incidence)
Exposed
Unexposed
Ptervgluia
Pinguecula
Corneal pigment
Corneal scars
Arcus senilis
Phihisis bulbs
Nystuwitius
Sirabisnus
I3.0)
240
12.0
ou
34.0
1.3
1.3
4
21.0
wo
16
j4
20-0
au
7
0?
Cratai acts
Aphakia
Vitreous apa ities
Retural arteriosclerosis
Chonore tial scars
Macular degeneration
Drusch
Cone nitad ancina lies
Lu
rt
tl
Hi QO
1.4
a
2.6
att
ee’
1s
ou
123
a7
au
Ou
oo
Argytl-Robertson pupil
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