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Heart rate as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease: current evidence and basic mechanisms

Paolo Palatini1

  • 1Clinica Medica 4, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. palatini@unipd.it

Drugs
|December 6, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Elevated resting heart rate is linked to increased risk of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular events. This finding suggests heart rate should be a key factor in assessing coronary heart disease risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Resting heart rate above 80-85 beats/min is associated with significant health risks.
  • These associations persist regardless of other atherosclerosis risk factors.
  • Elevated heart rate impacts arterial walls and predicts cardiovascular events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the prognostic significance of elevated resting heart rate.
  • To advocate for the inclusion of heart rate in cardiovascular risk assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of epidemiological studies.
  • Analysis of experimental and clinical data on heart rate and cardiovascular health.

Main Results:

  • Elevated resting heart rate is a direct risk factor for hypertension and atherosclerosis.
  • Heart rate is a potent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
  • Higher heart rate increases the likelihood of plaque disruption and cardiovascular events.

Conclusions:

  • Resting heart rate is a crucial, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Heart rate management should be considered in preventing coronary heart disease.
  • Inclusion of heart rate in risk stratification models is warranted.

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