Long-term prognostic value of resting heart rate in patients with suspected or proven coronary artery disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Clinical Research
• Public Health

Background:

• Heart rate reduction is crucial for managing angina.
• Stable coronary artery disease (CAD) management requires understanding prognostic indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prognostic significance of resting heart rate in patients with stable CAD.
• To determine if heart rate predicts cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.

Main Methods:

• Assessed the relationship between baseline resting heart rate and cardiovascular outcomes.
• Analyzed data from 24,913 patients in the Coronary Artery Surgery Study registry.
• Followed patients for a median of 14.7 years, adjusting for multiple clinical variables.

Main Results:

• Increasing resting heart rate correlated with higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
• Patients with resting heart rate ≥83 bpm had significantly increased total mortality (HR=1.32) and cardiovascular mortality (HR=1.31).
• Higher heart rates (77-82 bpm and ≥83 bpm) were associated with increased cardiovascular rehospitalizations compared to heart rates ≤62 bpm.

Conclusions:

• Resting heart rate is a simple yet potent prognostic indicator in CAD patients.
• Elevated resting heart rate independently predicts total and cardiovascular mortality.
• This finding underscores the importance of monitoring heart rate in cardiovascular disease management.