April 18, 2019
According to a recent study by Swedish researchers, a resting heart rate greater than 75 beats per minute after age 50 in men increases the risk of heart disease and doubles the risk of premature death.
Elevated heart rate increases risk of death and cardiovascular events in men
Researchers have looked at theinfluence of changes in resting heart rate from the age of 50 on the risk of cardiovascular disease and life expectancy. To conduct their work, the scientists followed a sample of men born in 1943 and residing in Gothenburg, Sweden, for 21 years. The participants underwent a clinical examination, laboratory tests and an electrocardiogram in 1993, 2003 and then in 2014.
According to their findings, published in the journal Open Heart, ” an elevated heart rate is associated with an increased risk of death and cardiovascular events in males in the general population “. Moreover, these risks are higher ” in people with an increased heart rate between the ages of 50 and 60 “.
Resting heart rate, a valuable indicator
The participants, including the Initial resting heart rate was over 75 beats per minute (bpm) in 1993, had an increased risk of developing heart disease within 11 years and one approximately twice the risk of death from all causes, compared to those with less than 55 bpm in 1993.
Furthermore, ” each increase in beating heart rate was associated with a 3% higher risk of death from all causes, a 2% higher risk of cardiovascular disease “. Resting heart rate is therefore a valuable indicator of patient health. It is therefore advisable to monitor it, through regular medical monitoring, and to look for the causes of a possible disturbance of the heart rhythm at rest. Poor diet, smoking, alcohol, stress and lack of physical exercise are often the causes.
Aurélie Giraud
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