[Association between resting heart rate and metabolic syndrome: a cohort study]

Objective: To investigate the association between resting heart rate (RHR) and subsequent metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: Under a cluster design, participants age ≥18 years old were selected from a rural area of Henan province in China. Interview through questionnaire, physical examination, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile measurements were done from July to August of 2007 and July to August of 2008. Same methods were implemented in the follow-up examination, during July to August of 2013 and July to October of 2014. Results: During the 6-year follow-up period, cumulative incidence rates of MS for overall, male, and female participants appeared as 21.89%(1 933/8 829), 16.78%(664/3 957) and 26.05%(1 269/4 872), respectively. After controlling for potential confounders and compared with the groups of RHR<60 bpm, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89 and ≥90 bpm, the ORs (95%CIs) of MS for overall, male, and female participants became 1.24(0.95-1.60), 1.42(1.10-1.84), 1.63(1.24-2.15) and 1.62(1.16-2.27); 1.12(0.81-1.55), 1.23(0.88-1.71), 1.42 (0.97-2.07) and 1.84(1.09-3.11); 1.46(0.93-2.29), 1.70(1.09-2.65), 1.99(1.25-3.16) and 1.78(1.06-2.98); respectively. Conclusions: The risk on MS appeared higher in females than in males while the risk for MS increased with the elevation of RHR. Intensive intervention programs that targeted adult participants with elevated RHR, especially in females, should be formulated and implemented.