Aging, Resting Pulse Rate, and Longevity

Abstract

RPR declines in the oldest old, and this decline is associated with greater longevity. It may serve as a simple prognostic marker in the oldest old.

Trends in coronary risk factors and electrocardiogram findings from 1977 to 2009 with 10-year mortality in Japanese elderly males – The Tanushimaru Study

“…Resting heart rate declined with age in the present study, as is consistent with cross-sectional [22,23] and longitudinal [24] data. The findings of these studies suggest that the decreased adrenergic response with aging is an important mechanism related to lower resting pulse rate and its protective effect [22][23][24].…”

Association between resting heart rate across the life course and all-cause mortality: longitudinal findings from the Medical Research Council (MRC) National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD)

“…While the positive relationship between elevated RHR and the risk of dying has been well documented in adults, [18][19][20][21][22] the role of RHR as a distinct marker of health status in childhood remains relatively unclear. Modifiable risk factors including BMI and blood pressure have been reported to track into adulthood and have been shown to act independently in children towards influencing cardiovascular risk later in life.…”

Associations of Heart Rate With Inflammatory Markers Are Modulated by Gender and Obesity in Older Adults

“…Over the recent years, the relevant incidence of major cardiovascular events among subjects with normal serum cholesterol levels prompted research on other determinants of atherosclerosis and its complications (6,18). In this setting, faster HR has repeatedly been proven an independent predictor of cardiovascular and noncardiovascular morbidity and mortality (1)(2)(3)19). This association has been ascribed either to increased sympathetic output (3), or to excess mechanical stress on the coronary artery wall (2).…”