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24
axis deviation was normalor to the right in most
individuals. Left axis deviation, and only of moderate degree, was present in six individuals, two in
the younger unexposed group, three in the older
unexposed group, and one in the older exposed
group. The electrical position of the heart ina
great majority of both the unexposed and exposed
subjects was vertical. In 22 subjects it was intermediate and in 9 (all unexposed) it was moderately horizontal. Rotation of the heart electrically
in the combined groupswasclockwise in 25 subjects and counterclockwise in 36, with about equal
distribution between the exposed and unexposed
groups.
4. RSTandT Waves. Abnormal variations were
carefully noted for indications of coronary or myocardia] insufficiency and/or myocardial disease or
damage. Deviations of the RST segmentfrom the
isoelectric line were found to be minimal; they occurred in only five of the 84 unexposed subjects
and in only one of the 38 exposed subjects. T wave
abnormalities were of appreciable degree in only a
fewinstances in the older group. The abnormalities
were chiefly in lower T waves and wererelated to
hypertensive disease. T wave changes were most
marked in a 51-year-old male ( 80) of the exposed group, who had arteriosclerotic heart disease and auricular fibrillation. Marked RST and
T wave changes were noted in an 81-year-old
male (#46) of the exposed group, who had
marked hypertensive and arteriosclerotic cardio-
years of age in the exposed group, and then toa
degree compatible with age. 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 four
individuals by their exposureto fallout radiation ts
unwarranted. Otherwise the presence and the
amountof arteriosclerosis was fairly well distributed between both populations, as can be seen in
Table 14. It was not observed in a degrce premature or advanced for the given age.
2. Arterial Blood Pressures. Blood pressures
greater than 140 systolic and 90 diastolic were
considered abnormal. Onthis basis in the exposed
group noneofthe 24 subjects <50 ofage and seven
of the 16 subjects >50 had hypertension, but
mostly of mild degree. There were 17 cases of hypertension in the unexposed group,2 in those <(50
years of age and 15 in those >50. The diastolic
blood pressure showed onlyinfrequent increase
above the level of 90 mm; as would be expected,
this occurred chiefly in the older group. The overall incidence of hypertension for the total population examined was 9.2%.
3. Oscillometry Readings.
DOE ARCHIVES .
vascular disease, and had prolonged auriculo-
ventricular conduction time as noted above.
Among the unexposed population there wasevidence of myocardial insufficiency according to
RST and T wave changesin a 51-year-old male
(+947), a 64-year-old female (#861), a 55-yearold male(#993), a 64-year-old female (= 858),
and a 64-year-old male (+884); the last had
changes sufficient to indicate a healed anterior
septal cardiac infarct.
Other Cardiovascular Observations
1. Peripheral Vascular Findings.
Clinical esti-
mation was madeof the degree of arterial changes
in the peripheral vessels (radial, brachial, and dorsalis pedis). The degree of abnormality was graded
by 0 to 4+ sclerosis (see section on aging studies).
Artertosclerosis was seen chiefly in subjects >50
year of age in both exposed and unexposed groups.
It was not marked except in four individuals >70
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i ee
Observations were
taken on the legs at the mid-calf. In almost all
subjects the pulsation was sufficient to indicate
normal blood flow. Although the readings were
lower in the Marshallese than might be expected
in Caucasians, it appeared that peripheral vascuTable 16
Ophthalmological Findings (% Incidence)
Exposed
Unexposed
Pterygium
23.0
Corneal pigment
12.0
Arcus senilis
38.0
26.0
1.3
8.3
0.7
0.7
Pinguecula
24.0
Corneal scars
Phthisis bul bi
Nystagmus
Strabismus
93.0
1.3
.
Aregyll-Robertson pupil
1.3
Cataracts
Aphakia
Retinal arteriosclerosis
Chorioretinal scars
ee ee ee eee
— we
0.0
4.1
0.0
0.0
2.6
3.9
—
0.0
10.3
11.0
1.3
Macular degeneration
Driisen
Congenital anomalies
2.6
3.4
19.0
1.3
Vitreous opacities
21.0
22.0
1.3
12.3
0.7
0.0
0.0
0.0