We have identified 36 novel associations in 17 candidate genes with the four ECG traits tested at p< 1.0 × 10 −6. While none of our associations met genome-wide significance, reporting these associations can provide insight to novel regions in the genome that effect ECG trait variability yet to be explored in African populations. Interestingly we were able to detect a novel region on chromosome 3 with three SNPs that are in high LD and are associated with increased heart rate in SERPINI1 (Supplementary Fig. 1C). The SERPINI1 gene encodes serine peptidase inhibitors secreted by axons in the brain and has been associated with familial encephalopathy (Davis et al. 1999).
