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Chronotropic response to exercise testing is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in healthy middle-aged men

Sae Young Jae1, Bo Fernhall, Kevin S Heffernan

  • 1Exercise and Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, College of Applied Life Studies, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 112 Huff Hall, MC-586, 1206 S. Fourth St Champaign, IL 61820, USA.

European Heart Journal
|March 16, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Chronotropic incompetence, a poor heart rate response to exercise, is linked to carotid atherosclerosis in healthy men. This finding suggests a connection between exercise capacity and vascular health, potentially impacting cardiovascular disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Exercise Physiology

Background:

  • Chronotropic incompetence (CI) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality.
  • The relationship between CI and carotid atherosclerosis remains unclear.
  • Understanding this association may reveal new insights into cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between chronotropic incompetence and carotid atherosclerosis in a large cohort of healthy men.
  • To determine if CI predicts the presence of carotid atherosclerosis independent of traditional risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 8567 healthy men (mean age 47.6 years) was studied.
  • Chronotropic incompetence was defined by failure to achieve 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate (APMHR), <80% heart rate reserve (HRR), or chronotropic response index (CRI).
  • Carotid atherosclerosis was assessed via B-mode ultrasonography, defined as stenosis >25% and/or intima-media thickness (IMT) >1.2 mm.

Main Results:

  • Subjects with <85% APMHR had an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.72 for carotid atherosclerosis.
  • Subjects with <80% HRR showed an adjusted OR of 1.45 for carotid atherosclerosis.
  • Lower quartiles of CRI were associated with increased odds of carotid atherosclerosis (adjusted OR 1.51).

Conclusions:

  • Chronotropic incompetence is significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis in healthy men.
  • This association is independent of established cardiovascular risk factors.
  • CI may contribute to the higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases observed in affected individuals.
Abstract

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