Elevated resting heart rate, physical fitness and all-cause mortality: a 16-year follow-up in the Copenhagen Male Study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine whether elevated resting heart rate (RHR) is an independent risk factor for mortality or a mere marker of physical fitness (VO2Max).MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study: the Copenhagen Male Study, a longitudinal study of healthy middle-aged employed men. Subjects with sinus rhythm and without known cardiovascular disease or diabetes were included. RHR was assessed from a resting ECG at study visit in 1985–1986. VO2Max was determined by the Åstrand bicycle ergometer test in 1970–1971. Subjects were classified into categories according to level of RHR. Associations with mortality were studied in multivariate Cox models adjusted for physical fitness, leisure-time physical activity and conventional cardiovascular risk factors.Results2798 subjects were followed for 16 years. 1082 deaths occurred. RHR was inversely related to physical fitness (p<0.001). Overall, increasing RHR was highly associated with mortality in a graded manner after adjusting for physical fitness, leisure-time physical activity and other cardiovascular risk factors. Compared to men with RHR ≤50, those with RHR >90 had an HR (95% CI) of 3.06 (1.97 to 4.75). With RHR as a continuous variable, risk of mortality increased with 16% (10–22) per 10 beats per minute (bpm). There was a borderline interaction with smoking (p=0.07); risk per 10 bpm increase in RHR was 20% (12–27) in smokers, and 14% (4–24) in non-smokers.ConclusionsElevated RHR is a risk factor for mortality independent of physical fitness, leisure-time physical activity and other major cardiovascular risk factors.

Does aerobic exercise improve or impair cardiorespiratory fitness and health among cleaners? A cluster randomized controlled trial

“…The reductions of 5.3% in RHR and 7.7% in SHR reject the null hypothesis of no effects of the aerobic exercise intervention on RHR and SHR (55). Reductions in both RHR and SHR can potentially reduce the risk of both CVD and all-cause mortality (55)(56)(57).…”

“…Reductions in both RHR and SHR can potentially reduce the risk of both CVD and all-cause mortality (55)(56)(57).…”

Resting heart rate is a predictor of mortality in COPD

“…Resting heart rate has been shown to be a risk factor in both the general population [6,7,[17][18][19] and in populations with cardiovascular disease [4,8]. COPD and heart failure share many of the same features.…”

Elevated blood pressure and obesity in young adults of hypertensive parent versus normotensive parent

“…This finding was supported by many researchers who have performed the study on the same aim. 2,14 Researchers have found significant rise in blood pressure and BMI of children of hypertensive when compared with normotensive parents. 2,15 These studies shows the influence of parental hypertension on blood pressure and BMI, and its occurrence even in the first decade of life.…”