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Published on: March 21, 2013
Higher orthostatic heart rate predicts mortality: The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)
Roman Romero-Ortuno1, Matthew D L O'Connell, Ciarán Finucane
1The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Lincoln Gate, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland, romeror@tcd.ie.
Insights
Higher early orthostatic heart rate (HR) after standing may predict mortality in older adults. This finding from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) suggests a new risk marker for adverse outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Orthostatic hemodynamic signals are potential predictors of adverse health outcomes in elderly populations.
- Understanding these signals is crucial for geriatric health risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between orthostatic hemodynamics and incident mortality.
- Utilizing data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA).
Main Methods:
- Wave 1 participants underwent active stand tests with beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring.
- Comparison of mortality status (deceased vs. alive) between Wave 1 and Wave 2.
Main Results:
- Deceased participants (n=53) exhibited higher baseline and orthostatic heart rates (HR) compared to survivors (n=4,415).
- Specifically, mean HR between 30-60 seconds post-stand was significantly higher in those who died.
- Early orthostatic HR (30-60s post-stand) independently predicted mortality after adjusting for covariates.
Conclusions:
- Elevated early orthostatic heart rate emerges as a potential independent risk marker for mortality in older adults.
- Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore clinical applications.
Background:
Orthostatic hemodynamic signals may predict adverse outcomes in elders.
Aims:
To study the association between orthostatic hemodynamics and incident mortality in The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA).
Methods:
Wave 1 subjects underwent an active stand with non-invasive beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring. We compared wave 1 active stands, dead vs alive in wave 2.
Results:
Compared to the 4,415 participants who had not died, the 53 who had died had a higher baseline heart rate [HR mean of 69 vs 65 beats per minute (bpm)] and a higher mean orthostatic HR, especially between 30 and 60 s post-stand (mean of 79 vs 73 bpm). After adjusting for age, sex, baseline HR, mini-mental state examination score and cardiovascular comorbidities and medications, the mean HR between 30 and 60 s post-stand independently predicted mortality (baseline HR did not).
Discussion:
Higher early orthostatic HR may be an independent risk marker. Further validation is required.
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