Assessing Metabolic Syndrome Through Increased Heart Rate During Exercise

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Metabolic Disorders
• Autonomic Function Testing

Background:

• Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of conditions increasing cardiovascular risk.
• Cardiac autonomic dysfunction is implicated in MetS pathophysiology.
• Resting and maximum heart rates are potential indicators of autonomic function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in resting and maximum heart rates (RHR and MHR) in MetS patients.
• To determine the utility of RHR and MHR in discriminating MetS from non-MetS individuals.
• To explore correlations between MHR and MetS components.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 468 participants, assessed using the ATP-III criteria for MetS.
• RHR and MHR measured during exercise stress tests (Bruce protocol).
• Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis used for discrimination.

Main Results:

• 194 participants (41.5%) were diagnosed with MetS.
• No significant difference in RHR between MetS and non-MetS groups.
• MHR was significantly higher in the MetS group (142.37 bpm vs. 134.62 bpm).
• MHR positively correlated with triglycerides and inversely with age in MetS patients.
• MHR showed moderate discrimination value (c=0.580) with a cutoff of 140 bpm.

Conclusions:

• MHR is significantly elevated in MetS patients compared to non-MetS individuals.
• MHR is associated with higher triglyceride levels and younger age in MetS.
• MHR serves as a potential indicator for identifying MetS.