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Heart rate and subsequent blood pressure in young adults: the CARDIA study
1University of Alabama at Birmingham, Division of Preventive Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Insights
Baseline heart rate (HR) is an independent predictor of future high diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in young adults. This finding suggests high HR may be a risk factor for developing hypertension later in life.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Preventive Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Elevated resting heart rate (HR) is a potential indicator of cardiovascular risk.
- Previous research has explored the link between heart rate and blood pressure, but independent prediction remains debated.
- Understanding predictors of hypertension is crucial for early intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if baseline heart rate (HR) predicts future blood pressure (BP) independently of baseline BP.
- To analyze this relationship across different demographic groups within a longitudinal study.
- To identify potential early risk factors for hypertension in young adults.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study.
- Included 4762 participants aged 18-30 years, free of cardiovascular issues and antihypertensive medication.
- Employed repeated measures regression analysis, adjusting for numerous demographic, lifestyle, and physiological factors.
Main Results:
- Baseline heart rate (HR) did not independently predict future systolic blood pressure (SBP).
- However, HR independently predicted higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in white men, white women, and black men.
- A 10 bpm increase in baseline HR was associated with a 0.7 mm Hg increase in subsequent DBP, and 1.3 mm Hg when baseline DBP was not adjusted for.
Conclusions:
- High baseline heart rate may serve as an independent risk factor for developing elevated diastolic blood pressure in young adults.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring heart rate in young individuals as part of cardiovascular risk assessment.
- Further research can explore the mechanisms linking heart rate to diastolic blood pressure progression.
Abstract:
The objective of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that baseline heart rate (HR) predicts subsequent blood pressure (BP) independently of baseline BP. In the multicenter longitudinal Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study of black and white men and women initially aged 18 to 30 years, we studied 4762 participants who were not current users of antihypertensive drugs and had no history of heart problems at the baseline examination (1985-1986). In each race-sex subgroup, we estimated the effect of baseline HR on BP 2, 5, 7, and 10 years later by use of repeated measures regression analysis, adjusting for baseline BP, age, education, body fatness, physical fitness, fasting insulin, parental hypertension, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, oral contraceptive use, and change of body mass index from baseline. The association between baseline HR and subsequent systolic BP (SBP) was explained by multivariable adjustment. However, HR was an independent predictor of subsequent diastolic BP (DBP) regardless of initial BP and other confounders in white men, white women, and black men (0.7 mm Hg increase per 10 bpm). We incorporated the part of the association that was already present at baseline by not adjusting for baseline DBP: the mean increase in subsequent DBP was 1.3 mm Hg per 10 bpm in white men, white women, and black men. A high HR may be considered a risk factor for subsequent high DBP in young persons.