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Published on: September 26, 2018
[Heart rate, a major prognostic factor of cardiovascular risk]
1Hôpital Nord, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France. samuel.levy@mail.ap-hm.fr
Insights
Elevated resting heart rate (HR) predicts mortality in the general population and coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Reducing HR may be a key therapeutic target for improving outcomes in CAD.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Research
- Public Health
Context:
- Heart rate (HR) is a vital sign with established prognostic implications.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) management involves risk stratification and therapeutic interventions.
- Previous research highlights the role of HR in cardiovascular health.
Purpose:
- To analyze the prognostic value of heart rate (HR) in the general population and CAD patients.
- To evaluate HR as a predictor of mortality and sudden death.
- To assess the impact of HR-modulating medications on cardiovascular outcomes.
Summary:
- Multivariate analyses confirm elevated resting HR as an independent predictor of total and cardiovascular mortality.
- HR behavior during exercise testing predicts sudden cardiac death.
- Calcium channel blockers increasing resting HR show a deleterious effect on mortality, contrasting with beneficial beta-blockers in post-infarction patients.
Impact:
- Resting HR should be incorporated into risk stratification protocols for CAD patients.
- Reducing resting HR presents a promising therapeutic target for improving cardiovascular outcomes.
- This analysis underscores the clinical significance of monitoring and managing heart rate in cardiovascular disease.
Abstract:
The prognostic value of heart rate (HR) was analysed based on the reports from the literature in the general population and in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Multivariate analyses showed that elevated resting HR was found to be an independent predictor of total and cardiovascular mortality. The behaviour of HR during exercise testing was predictive of sudden death. The beneficial effects of betablockers in post-infarction patients are well established. Calcium channel blockers that increase resting HR are associated with a deleterious effect on mortality. Therefore, resting HR should not be overlooked in risk stratification of CAD patients. Reduction of resting HR should be viewed as an attractive therapeutic target in CAD patients.
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