A man over 50 whose resting heart rate is 75 beats per minute doubles his risk of dying prematurely, concludes a study published in the Open Heart review. The researchers wanted to assess the impact that a higher than normal resting heart rate has on long-term health and on the risk of premature death (before age 75). Variations in heart rate were also analyzed.
The resting heart rate (HR) is the number of heartbeats per minute when the body is at rest. Between 50 and 100 beats per minute (BPM), heart rate is considered normal, say the researchers. HR generally varies with age, with lower levels indicating better cardiovascular function and more efficient heart function.
For the study, a group of men aged 50 and over born in Gothenburg, Sweden were randomly recruited. The group was divided into four categories corresponding to different HR at rest: 55 BPM or less; 56-65 BPM; 66-75 BPM; and more than 75 BPM.
Observation spanned from 1993 to 2014. During this period, volunteers completed questionnaires in 1993, 2003 and 2014 798 about their lifestyle, family history of heart disease and stress levels. They also had a complete medical examination including their resting heart rate.
At the end of these 21 years of observation, the researchers identified major trends: men whose heart rate at rest was greater than 55 BPM in 1993 were more likely to smoke, to be less physically active and to be more stressed than those whose rate was below 55 BPM. They were also more exposed to other cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressureand overweight.
Men whose resting HR exceeded 75 in 1993 doubled their risk of premature death, independent of other risk factors (cardiovascular disease or coronary heart disease), compared with a resting HR of 55 or less.
HR variations at rest, an indicator to watch
Variations in resting heart rate were associated with health risks. Also, when resting HR was stable between 1993 and 2003, the risk of cardiovascular disease decreased by 44% over the following 11 years compared to an increasing resting HR. Finally, each increase in HR of an additional beat was associated with a 3% higher risk of death, a 1% risk of cardiovascular disease and a 2% risk of coronary heart disease.
The researchers temper these results and admit that the study only looked at men in their 50s, making it difficult to draw conclusions. This study, however, suggests that monitoring changes in HR at rest could be a useful indicator for preventing the risk of future cardiovascular disease.
Read also
4 gestures to take care of your heart
Heart failure: the great forgotten cardiovascular disease
This method of breathing reduces blood pressure
