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In vitro Assessment of Myocardial Protection following Hypothermia-Preconditioning in a Human Cardiac Myocytes Model
Published on: October 27, 2020
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Heart rate and cardiovascular protection
Joana Caetano1, José Delgado Alves2
1Department Medicine IV, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, IC-19, 2720-276, Amadora, Portugal.
European Journal of Internal Medicine
|February 24, 2015
Summary
An elevated resting heart rate is a significant predictor of mortality. Heart rate lowering drugs improve outcomes, yet this risk factor remains overlooked in cardiovascular care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Epidemiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Elevated resting heart rate is an independent predictor of cardiovascular and overall mortality.
- Higher heart rates contribute to myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias, oxidative stress, and atherosclerosis progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of resting heart rate as a cardiovascular risk factor.
- To emphasize the benefits of heart rate-lowering therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent large epidemiological and pathophysiological studies.
- Analysis of clinical trial data on heart rate-lowering drugs.
Main Results:
- Resting heart rate independently predicts mortality in the general population and specific patient groups.
- Heart rate-lowering drugs (beta-blockers, ivabradine) reduce mortality in coronary heart disease and heart failure patients.
Conclusions:
- Resting heart rate is a critical, yet often overlooked, cardiovascular risk factor.
- Pharmacological reduction of heart rate offers significant survival benefits, particularly in high-risk populations.
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