Association between resting heart rate and hypertension treatment in a general population

Epidemiologic studies have reported a relationship between resting heart rate (RHR) and cardiovascular mortality, particularly in hypertensive subjects. In a representative sample (n = 1175) of women and men aged 35 to 64 years, we studied the associations between RHR and hypertension. RHR was associated with sex (P < .001), socioeconomic and marital status (P < .05), physical fitness (P < .001), smoking (P < .05), hypercholesterolemia (P < .01), body mass index (P < .01), blood pressure (P < .01), triglyceride levels (P < .01), glycemia (P < .05), hematocrit (P < .001 in men, not significant in women), and white blood cell count (P < .01). Logistic regression models adjusted for the above variables were developed with RHR coded as a polytomous outcome variable (RHR < 65/min; 65 < or = RHR < 75/min; 75 < or = RHR < 85/min; RHR > or = 85/min). Subjects unaware of their hypertension had significant adjusted odds ratios for high RHR categories [75 < or = RHR < 85/min: 2.11 (1.37 to 3.23), P < .001; RHR > or = 85/min: 4.71 (2.06 to 10.78), P < .001]. People treated for hypertension had nonsignificant odds ratios whatever the RHR categories. After adjustment for numerous risk factors, elevated RHR were associated with high blood pressure in unaware hypertensive subjects. The impact of antihypertensive drugs with different RHR lowering effects remains to be studied on a population basis.