Heart rate, lifespan, and mortality risk

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiovascular Science
• Comparative Biology

Background:

• Resting heart rate (HR) shows an inverse correlation with lifespan across homeothermic mammals.
• Elevated HR in humans is consistently linked to increased mortality risk.
• This HR-lifespan relationship is influenced by basal metabolic rate and cardiovascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the association between resting heart rate and maximum lifespan.
• To investigate the role of HR in modulating aging processes and mortality.
• To consider HR as a potential determinant of maximum lifespan.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature and observational data on HR and lifespan.
• Analysis of human studies stratifying patients by resting HR.
• Consideration of intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing aging (e.g., protein oxidation, inflammation).

Main Results:

• A strong inverse correlation exists between resting HR and lifespan in mammals.
• Higher resting HR is a universal predictor of increased mortality risk in humans.
• The relationship is attributed to basal metabolic rate and cardiovascular mortality factors.

Conclusions:

• Resting HR is a significant factor potentially capping maximum lifespan.
• Further research is warranted to explore cardiac slowing interventions (lifestyle, pharmacological, devices).
• Investigating HR modulation could offer new strategies for decelerating aging and enhancing human longevity.