Does the aging process significantly modify the Mean Heart Rate?

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Gerontology
• Physiology

Background:

• Mean Heart Rate (MHR) typically declines with advancing age.
• The precise impact of age and gender on MHR, independent of disease, requires further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Mean Heart Rate (MHR) trends in a diverse group of functionally independent adults.
• To analyze MHR variations based on age and gender, controlling for common health conditions.

Main Methods:

• 1,172 individuals over 40 years old underwent Holter monitoring.
• Participants were stratified into age groups (40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, >80 years).
• Statistical analyses included ANOVA, correlation, and linear regression, adjusting for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus.

Main Results:

• MHR showed a significant decrease across age groups (p < 0.001).
• Women demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with higher MHR (p < 0.001).
• Age and gender were significant predictors, but their effect size was small (R², ETA² < 0.10); comorbidities did not influence MHR.

Conclusions:

• MHR diminishes with age, and women generally exhibit higher MHR.
• The statistical significance of age and gender on MHR is not matched by substantial effect magnitude.
• Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus did not significantly alter MHR in this cohort.