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Heart rate: a global target for cardiovascular disease and therapy along the cardiovascular disease continuum

Florian Custodis1, Jan-Christian Reil, Ulrich Laufs

  • 1Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Kardiologie, Angiologie und internistische Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, 66421 Homburg, Saar, Germany.

Journal of Cardiology
|June 29, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Elevated heart rate predicts mortality in cardiovascular patients. Selective heart rate reduction with ivabradine offers a therapeutic option to mitigate cardiovascular disease progression and improve outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Elevated resting heart rate is a significant predictor of mortality in both general and cardiovascular patient populations.
  • Increased heart rate exacerbates cardiovascular disease progression, from endothelial dysfunction to plaque rupture and end-stage disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore heart rate as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease.
  • To evaluate the role of selective heart rate reduction using ivabradine in managing coronary artery disease and heart failure.

Main Methods:

  • Review of pharmacological interventions targeting heart rate.
  • Focus on the mechanism of action of I(f) current inhibitors like ivabradine.
  • Discussion of the prognostic significance of heart rate in cardiovascular disease.

Main Results:

  • Heart rate is a modifiable risk factor across the cardiovascular disease continuum.
  • Ivabradine selectively reduces heart rate by inhibiting the I(f) current, offering a targeted intervention.
  • Evidence suggests a role for heart rate reduction in managing patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure.

Conclusions:

  • Selective heart rate reduction is a promising therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular disease.
  • Further interventional studies are needed to confirm the role of heart rate reduction in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

Keywords:
Cardiovascular disease continuumHeart rateI(f) current inhibitionRisk reduction

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