[An Italian study on heart rate in hypertensives]

Epidemiological studies performed in the last few years have demonstrated a positive association between resting heart rate, cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality. The aim of the study was to evaluate the extent to which a frequent heart rate is associated with arterial hypertension and its relative risk. For 6 consecutive months 3500 physicians throughout the country have checked blood pressure and heart rate, anthropometric measurement--height, weight, hip-waist ratio, body mass index--and then have filled in a specific questionnaire focussed on family history and living habits. All the Operating Units have participated in a special training programme to ensure standardization of the methods. The study has collected data so far on 50,000 hypertensive individuals; the results of the ongoing analysis will be illustrated and discussed. A 5-year follow-up is ensured in order to make a step forward in the knowledge of the role played by heart rate in the development of cardiovascular diseases.