Effects of high resting heart rate on the stability of carotid artery plaque in a middle and advanced aged population

Abstract

To explore the effect of high resting heart rate (RHR) on the stability of carotid artery plaque in a middle and advanced aged population. During 2010-2011, a total of 5 852 participants were selected randomly from 101 510 workers of a Tangshan Kailuan company. RHR was measured and carotid artery ultrasound performed to detect the carotid artery plaque. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the influencing factors of carotid artery stable and unstable plaque. There were 4 894 subjects aged 40-95 years, including 2 945 males and 1 949 females. The detection rates of carotid artery stable and unstable plaque were 25.7% and 25.4% in low RHR group versus 23.8% and 33.2% in high RHR group. Compared with low RHR group, the risk of carotid artery unstable plaque increased to 29% in high RHR group after adjusting for all influencing factors. The odds ratio was 1.290 (95% CI 1.039-1.062). High RHR can increase the risk of carotid artery unstable plaque in middle and advanced aged population.