The Importance of Periodic Electrocardiograms in Individuals with Metabolic Disorders: A Policy Brief

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Abstract

Metabolic disorders, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), anemia, and insulin resistance, are increasingly prevalent and represent a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Emerging evidence indicates that these conditions are associated with prolongation of the corrected QT (QTc) interval, a well-established marker of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Individuals with metabolic disorders have a significantly higher risk of life-threatening arrhythmias, even in the absence of known cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance, a central component of cardiometabolic dysfunction, has also been linked to QT interval prolongation. Despite this growing body of evidence, QTc monitoring is not currently included in routine clinical guidelines for the management of metabolic disorders. Electrocardiography (ECG) is a low-cost and widely accessible diagnostic tool that enables early identification of high-risk individuals and supports timely preventive interventions. Routine implementation of baseline and annual ECG-based QTc monitoring has the potential to reduce sudden cardiac death, improve cardiovascular risk stratification, and decrease healthcare costs associated with acute cardiac events. This policy brief advocates for the adoption of a national QTc monitoring strategy as a scalable and cost-effective approach to improving cardiovascular outcomes in patients with metabolic disorders.