Resting Heart Rate Measurements Research Articles

Heart rate from intermittent home measurements within an atrial fibrillation screening program is associated with mortality

Abstract Introduction A high resting heart rate is a predictor of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular mortality. Studies on the association between heart rate and outcomes often measure heart rate at a single time point, even though multiple measurements may be a stronger predictor of cardiovascular risk. Indeed, the association between short-term home heart rate measurements and outcomes has not been extensively studied. Purpose This sub study of the STROKESTOP trial explores the association of baseline and home resting heart rate measurements with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Methods The STROKESTOP randomised controlled trial consisted of an atrial fibrillation (AF) screening program among the 75- and 76-year-old inhabitants of two Swedish regions. Participants in the intervention group were invited to a two week intermittent screening program, consisting of twice daily measurements with an ECG-based handheld device. For this sub analysis, baseline heart rate, the median of 5 home morning heart rates and the median of 5 home evening heart rates were evaluated. Associations were evaluated by heart rate quintiles (41-63 bpm, 64-70 bpm, 71-76 bpm, 77-84 bpm and ≥85 bpm), with 64-70 bpm as the reference category. Hazard rations were obtained by Cox regression analysis. The full multivariable model included demograhic factors such as sex and educational level, medical history of several diseases and the use of cardiovascular medication. Both all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were evaluated. Results In total, 5873 individuals were included in this analysis. Overall, 55.6% were women and the median baseline heart rate was 73 [65-81] bpm, whereas the median of morning heart rates was 71 [64-78] bpm and that of evening heart rates 71 [65-79] bpm. Having a baseline heart rate in the highest quintile compared to the reference quintile, showed a hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality in unadjusted analysis of 1.39 (1.11-1.73) (p=0.004), and of 1.51 (1.20-1.90) in the fully adjusted analysis (p<.001). For cardiovascular mortality, HRs were 1.78 (1.21-2.63) (p=0.004) and 2.13 (1.42-3.20) (p=<.001), respectively. The association between the highest heart rate and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality were substantially strengthened when median morning heart rates were considered (HR 2.03 (1.61-2.56) and 2.18 (1.72-2.76), p<.001 for all-cause mortality on univariable and multivariable analysis, HR 2.35 (1.57-3.51) and 2.59 (1.72-3.92), p<.001) for cardiovascular mortality). Associations between home evening heart rates and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were not substantially stronger compared to the associations with baseline heart rate. Conclusion Our study shows that home-measured morning heart rate is more strongly associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality compared to a single time-point office heart rate.Hazard ratios for mortality

The Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Body Mass Index and Cardiopulmonary Function in Obese College Students

Objective: To observe the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on body mass index (BMI) and cardiopulmonary function in obese college students.Methods: Fifty obese students from the first to third year of our university were randomly selected to participate in this study and were randomly divided into two groups, with 25 students in each group participating in different training programs. The groups were divided into HIIT and MICT groups, respectively, and they participated in high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training for 3 months. Before and after the different interventions, the average BMI, vital capacity, and resting heart rate were measured.Results: There was no significant difference in BMI measurements between the two groups of obese college students before the intervention (P>0.05). Before and after the intervention, both groups showed a significant decrease in average BMI compared to before the intervention (P<0.05). After the intervention, the average BMI of the MICT group was significantly lower than that of the HIIT group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in vital capacity and resting heart rate measurements between the two groups of obese college students before the intervention (P>0.05). After different interventions, both groups showed a significant increase in average vital capacity and a significant decrease in average resting heart rate compared to before the intervention (P<0.05). After the intervention, the average resting heart rate of the MICT group was significantly lower than that of the HIIT group (P<0.05).Conclusion: Both high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training can significantly improve BMI and cardiopulmonary function in obese college students, with moderate-intensity continuous training having certain advantages in improving BMI and resting heart rate.

The Effect of Additional of Aerobic Exercise to Functional Therapy on Resting Heart Rate in Patients with Chronic Phase Post Stroke

Introduction: Regular aerobic exercise has a direct effect on resting heart rate, both acute and chronic effects. One of the chronic effects decrease resting heart rate which is beneficial for heart health. The objective of this study was to prove the effect of adding aerobic exercise to functional therapy on resting heart in post-stroke patients with chronic phase.
 Methods: The study used a randomized controlled trial with pre and post-test control group design. The treatment group (n = 10) received additional aerobic exercise and the control group only received functional therapy (n = 10). Assessment of resting heart rate measurements was carried out before and after exercise.
 Results: There was a significant difference (p=<0.001) in the mean resting heart rate in the treatment group before intervention 89.00 ± 9.13 and after intervention 76.10 ± 10.16. There was a significant difference (p=0.017) in the mean resting heart rate in the control group before intervention 88.60 ± 7.75 and after intervention 84.40 ± 6.98. There was a significant difference in the resting heart rate delta value between the treatment group (-12.90 ± 6.56) compared to the control group (-4.20 ± 4.37).
 Discussion: The value of resting heart rate pre and post-test in the treatment group showed a more significant difference than the control group. Aerobic exercise can inhibit the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and increase the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system due to the effects of cardiovascular adaptation
 Conclusion: The intervention of adding aerobic exercise can reduce resting heart rate in post-stroke patients with chronic phase.
 Keywords: Aerobic exercise, functional therapy

Resting heart rate correlates with major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in patients with post-myocardial infarction ventricular aneurysms: a retrospective cohort study

To analyze the association of resting heart rate (RHR) with the prognosis of patients with post-infarction ventricular aneurysms. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 227 patients with post-infarction ventricular aneurysms admitted to our hospital during 2017-2019. The endpoint event was the occurrence of any major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) during the follow-up for 24 months. According to RHR measurements, the patients were divided into 3 groups with baseline RHR < 10%, 10%-90%, and >90%. The Cox proportional risk model and restricted cubic spline (RCS) model were used to analyze the effect of RHR on MACCEs. During the 24-month followup, 90 patients (39.6%) experienced MACCEs. The fully adjusted RCS curves showed a nonlinear "U" shaped correlation between RHR and the occurrence of MACCEs. In the fully adjusted model, the risk of MACCEs increased by 3.01-fold (Hazard ratio [HR]=4.01, 95% CI: 2.07-7.76, P < 0.001) in patients with RHR>90%, as compared with patients with RHR of 10%-90%. In patients with RHR in 1-9th percentile, 10th-90th percentile and 91st-100th percentile, the incidences of MACCEs were 39.1%, 36.6% and 66.7% (P=0.027), the incidences of ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) were 17.4%, 2.7% and 4.8% (P=0.005), and the incidences of readmission for heart failure were 8.7%, 26.8% and 42.9% (P=0.036), respectively. Continuous monitoring and management of heart rate range may provide guidance for prognosis prediction in patients with post-infarction ventricular aneurysms.

Comparative Analysis of Resting Heart Rate Measurement at Multiple Instances in a Single Day.

Resting Heart Rate (RHR) is used as an indicator of cardiovascular health and overall fitness. Clinically, RHR is measured from beat-to-beat heart rate data during the day when the body is at rest (RHRrest), typically for ≥ 5 minutes. In this paper, we have compared the RHR measurements done at multiple instances in a single day namely, [Formula: see text], RHR immediately after waking up (RHRmorning) and RHR during sleep (RHRsleep). The significance of measuring RHRsleep and why it can be used as a potential replacement for the conventional methods is analysed through an experimental study in this paper. The results obtained using the proposed method stands out in terms of repeatability. RHR measurements were taken for 3 instances on a single day for 9 subjects on 5 alternate workdays. A comparative analysis was performed by measuring the repeatability coefficient (RC) and Standard Deviation (SD) on the RHR measurements taken during multiple instances for each subject separately. The average RC and SD over the 5 alternate workdays was 5 bpm and SD was 2 bpm for RHRslep. For RHRrest and RHRmorning, the average RC was 12 bpm and 11 bpm and the average SD was 5 bpm and 4 bpm respectively, which is comparatively higher. Hence this method can be potentially adopted instead of the conventional methods as the RHRsleep parameter is more reliable and precise due to its repeatable nature.

A longitudinal analysis of COVID-19 lockdown stringency on sleep and resting heart rate measures across 20 countries

Lockdowns imposed to stem the spread of COVID-19 massively disrupted the daily routines of many worldwide, but studies to date have been mostly confined to observations within a limited number of countries, based on subjective reports and surveys from specific time periods during the pandemic. We investigated associations between lockdown stringency and objective sleep and resting-heart rate measures in ~ 113,000 users of a consumer sleep tracker across 20 countries from Jan to Jul 2020, compared to an equivalent period in 2019. With stricter lockdown measures, midsleep times were universally delayed, particularly on weekdays, while midsleep variability and resting heart rate declined. These shifts (midsleep: + 0.09 to + 0.58 h; midsleep variability: − 0.12 to − 0.26 h; resting heart rate: − 0.35 to − 2.08 bpm) correlated with the severity of lockdown across different countries (all Ps < 0.001) and highlight the graded influence of stringency lockdowns on human physiology.

231 COVID-19 Lockdown Policies Across 20 Countries Modulate Sleep and Resting Heart Rate Measures

IntroductionLockdowns imposed to stem the spread of COVID-19 have disrupted the lifestyles of many worldwide, but studies to date are mostly confined to observations within a limited number of countries, based on subjective reports and survey from a narrow time window. In the present study, we investigate associations between the severity of lockdown policies and objective sleep and resting-heart rate measures.MethodsData from 113,000 users of a consumer sleep tracker across 20 countries were gathered between Jan–Jul 2020 and compared with an equivalent period in 2019 as a control for naturally occurring seasonal fluctuations. Lockdown stringency was derived using scores from the Oxford Government Response Tracker. Multilevel growth curve models were used to quantify the effect of lockdown stringency on changes to sleep patterns (midsleep time and midsleep variability) and resting heart rate changes, and to predict changes in resting heart rate from changes to sleep patterns.ResultsLockdown severity modulated the size of shifts in sleep midpoint and regularity during this period. Midsleep times were delayed in all countries during strict lockdowns, particularly on weekdays, while midsleep variability reduced. The largest shifts in midsleep time (+0.09 to +0.58 hours), midsleep variability (–0.12 to –0.26 hours) and resting heart rate (–0.35 to –2.08 bpm) occurred in April and May - when most countries imposed their strictest lockdown measures. In addition, multilevel modelling revealed that for each unit increase in stringency index, midsleep time was delayed by 0.96 min, midsleep variability decreased by 0.46 min and resting heart rate decreased by 0.06 bpm. Finally, in models predicting changes in resting heart rate from changes to sleep patterns, midsleep variability was shown to be the strongest predictor of resting heart rate, wherein an hour increase in the standard deviation of midsleep variability predicted a 5.12 increase in bpm, while an hour increase in midsleep time only predicted a 1.25 decrease in bpm.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate the utility of large-scale data from consumer wearables in providing population-level insights into how lockdown severity directly impacts sleep health during this pandemic period.Support (if any)Work conducted at NUS is supported by a grant awarded to Michael Chee (NMRC/STAR19may-0001).

Resting Heart Rate Measurement in Elite Athletes during COVID-19 Lockdown: The Impact of Decreased Physical Activity

The purpose was to observe the effects of a four-week lockdown on the resting heart rate (RHR) and well-being perception of elite swimmers. Twenty elite swimmers performed RHR measurements upon waking in supine and standing positions. Baseline values and those measured after four weeks of lockdown were compared. Swimmers completed a questionnaire on their training volume and state of well-being. During the lockdown, swimmers reported a weekly mean physical activity of 10.4 ± 3.6 h (an estimated reduction of 254% compared to their usual training volume). After four weeks of lockdown, RHR in the supine position increased by more than two beats per minute (58.8 ± 8.2 vs. 56.5 ± 7.4 bpm, p &lt; 0.05). In the standing position, RHR increased by almost 15 beats per minute (103.3 ± 13.2 vs. 88.4 ± 9.4 bpm, p &lt; 0.0001). Fifty percent of these athletes expressed a decrease in well-being. These results underline that the lockdown circumstances induced a large reduction in parasympathetic activity in elite athletes, which was associated with a decrease in training volume. This increase in RHR may reflect that a highatly strenuous environment and maintaining a high level of physical activity in this population could be favorable to preserve physical and psychological health.

Characterizing COVID-19 and Influenza Illnesses in the Real World via Person-Generated Health Data

SummaryThe fight against COVID-19 is hindered by similarly presenting viral infections that may confound detection and monitoring. We examined person-generated health data (PGHD), consisting of survey and commercial wearable data from individuals' everyday lives, for 230 people who reported a COVID-19 diagnosis between March 30, 2020, and April 27, 2020 (n = 41 with wearable data). Compared with self-reported diagnosed flu cases from the same time frame (n = 426, 85 with wearable data) or pre-pandemic (n = 6,270, 1,265 with wearable data), COVID-19 patients reported a distinct symptom constellation that lasted longer (median of 12 versus 9 and 7 days, respectively) and peaked later after illness onset. Wearable data showed significant changes in daily steps and prevalence of anomalous resting heart rate measurements, of similar magnitudes for both the flu and COVID-19 cohorts. Our findings highlight the need to include flu comparator arms when evaluating PGHD applications aimed to be highly specific for COVID-19.

Mitochondrial Targeted Antioxidant Intake Improves Vascular Function And Exercise Tolerance In Peripheral Artery Disease Patients

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a manifestation of atherosclerosis in the lower leg arteries, which causes reduced blood flow and leg pain. This may be in part due to excessive mitochondria-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and attenuated mitochondrial respiratory function. Mitoquinol mesylate, a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, has been shown to scavenge ROS and improve vascular function in older adults and animal models. However, the impacts of mitoquinol on vascular function in patients with PAD are unknown. PURPOSE: To examine the impacts of acute mitoquinol intake (80mg) on endothelial function (flow mediated dilation, FMD), resting heart rate (RHR), blood pressure (BP), arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity, PWV), and exercise tolerance in patients with PAD. METHODS: 10 patients with PAD (stage II-III) received either mitoquinol or placebo in a randomized crossover design. At each visit, measurements of RHR, central and peripheral BP, brachial and popliteal artery FMD, PWV, augmentation index (AIx), maximal walking capacity, and time to claudication (COT) were measured before and after mitoquinol and placebo. RESULTS: There were significant group by time interactions (p<0.05) for brachial FMD, popliteal FMD, and COT, which significantly increased (p<0.05). There were trends for decreases in diastolic BP (p=0.10), carotid-to-ankle PWV (p=0.08), and increases in maximal walking time (p=0.06), and maximal walking distance (p=0.06). There were no changes in RHR, systolic BP, central BP, deceleration time, max dP/dt, carotid-to-radial PWV, carotid-to-femoral PWV, or AIx (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mitoquinol intake may be an effective strategy for targeting mitochondrial ROS, which may be useful for treating endothelial dysfunction, leg pain, and improving walking time in patients with PAD.

Reduction in Resting Heart Rate Following Chiropractic Adjustment and Exercise: A Case Study

Introduction: Resting heart rate (RHR) is a simple but powerful predictor of autonomic health which can be used on a visit-by-visit basis for an individual patient to conveniently assess his or her neurological progress. This case report provides an example of this approach. The method incorporates outlier analysis for a total of five measurements over a 6 week period that included chiropractic care and exercise. Methods: An adult female patient with elevated RHR received chiropractic care from the author. She also began an exercise program during this time. Approximately six weeks later she experienced a substantial reduction (improvement) in RHR on a follow-up visit. Inter-quartile outlier analysis was applied to determine if the improvement was statistically unusual. The advantage of doing this analysis is that it would give an indication of whether the change occurred by chance alone. This in turn provides a level of clinical certainty regarding progress of the patient. Results: The first two RHR measurements, four days apart were 81.6 beats per minute (BPM) and 81.9 BPM respectively. Follow-up RHR measurements (in BPM) were 79.5, 77.8, and 66.3. This last reading, 66.3 BPM was detected as an extreme outlier. Conclusion: This case study shows how RHR and outlier analysis can be used to determine neurological progress on a given visit for an individual patient. In this case there was such progress following chiropractic care and exercise. Further study with other patients and longer follow-up periods will be a good next step.

Relationship between “general obesity index - body mass index” and “resting heart rate” in school-going male adolescent subjects: A cross-sectional study

Background: The previous studies on effect on “Resting Heart Rate (RHR)” with physiological variables in school-going children are deficient in western part of Rajasthan. Aim and Objective: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the association between general obesity index (body mass index [BMI]) with RHR in obese and non-obese school-going male adolescents of the Jodhpur city (Rajasthan). Materials and Methods: After obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee, 50 male subjects aged between 14 and 17 years were enrolled for the study. All the subjects were divided into two groups according to BMI with written informed consent. The anthropometric data, i.e. height (HT) and weight (WT) were taken to calculate BMI followed by measurements of RHR. These values were analyzed by Student’s t-test and on the basis of BMI, RHR data were compared by Pearson’s coefficient correlation. Results: In our study, higher BMI (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) was found in 22% of subjects (mean + standard deviation =27.04 ± 1.8). The obese group was associated with continuous faster RHR in standing (RHRst. =82.27 ± 2.45 bpm) and supine condition (RHRsup =75.72 ± 2.27 bpm). We found that RHR had significantly positive correlated with BMI (RHRst. r = 0.55 and RHRsup. r = 0.44, respectively). Conclusion: RHRst. position had higher values and significantly positive correlation with obesity index (BMI) among obese group compared to non-obese group (P < 0.05).

Physical Performance Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Prospective Observational Study

Background and Purpose/Objective: Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are at risk for strength impairments and activity limitations. Research describing how HSCT affects physical performance is limited. The purposes of this study were to report the short-term (≤30 days) effects of HSCT on physical performance and to compare changes among patients during the engraftment and recovery periods following HSCT. Methods: Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Academic medical center. Patients: Twenty-five adults 21 years and older undergoing HSCT. Intervention: None. Measurements: Measures were collected at 3 time points: (1) day of transplant; (2) 8 to 14 days posttransplant; and (3) 15 to 30 days posttransplant. Beside demographic data, the authors collected Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores, Functional Comorbidity Index scores, resting heart rate, and hospitalization status. Longitudinal changes in SPPB scores were analyzed with a generalized linear model (α = 0.05). Results: SPPB scores were negatively associated with patients' body mass index values and resting heart rate measurements. Additionally, the hospitalization × time interaction was statistically significant. SPPB scores among nonhospitalized patients remained consistent across the testing periods but among hospitalized patients decreased from the day of transplant to both the 8 to 14 days (mean change = 4.0 points) and 15 to 30 days (mean change = 4.1 points) posttransplant time points. Conclusion: Physical performance scores decreased in the first 30 days of recovery among patients who were hospitalized following HSCT, but not among patients who received transplant on an outpatient basis. Future studies to examine causes of and interventions for the reduction in physical performance among hospitalized patients post-HSCT are warranted.

Assessment of psychological stress during sleep using digital devices and its clinical relevance to future occupational health practice

Psychophysiological decompensation as a result of occupational stress leads to impairment of occupational performance. Adequate recovery from psychological stress is necessary to maintain occupational performance. It is possible to measure the psychophysiological status and recovery during sleep with health data streamed from biomedical digital devices. Such data, with reference to heart and sleep parameters, could be processed to reflect health status and whether there is a risk of psychophysiological decompensation. This article describes the interpretation of resting heart rate measures, heart rate variability, and actigraphy measures during regular sleep in relation to psychological stress. Interpretation of the health data should be done by informed health-care professionals in combination with clinical history taking. The article does not cover digital measurements while awake and active. The aim of this review article is to provide an evidence-based rationale to health professionals how to interpret digital health data profiles from biomedical devices in appraising psychological stress and recovery. The objective is to prevent the adverse impact of psychological stress on health. Specific lifestyle measures and therapy to manage psychological stress, such as exercise, diet, and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, are not discussed in this article. Applications are especially relevant in the field of occupational health in preventing occupational burnout, achieving a healthy work-life balance, and sustaining a healthy working life. There are future implications with regard to disease prevention as a large proportion of chronic diseases, for example, hypertension, diabetes depression, and ischemic heart disease, are related to chronic psychological stress. Stress monitoring with biomedical devices should occur over periods of work and nonwork days.

Resting Heart Rate Percentiles and Associated Factors in Children and Adolescents

To present population-based resting heart rate (RHR) percentiles and associated factors in children and adolescents. Standardized RHR measurements with an oscillometric device were obtained from 3- to 17-year-olds who participated in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (n = 11 986). Age- and sex-specific RHR percentiles were derived using flexible age-dependent modeling. Linear regression was used to test associations of RHR and associated factors. RHR decreased with age and mean RHR was on average 3.0 beats per minute (bpm) higher in girls than in boys (P < .01). The 95th RHR-KiGGS-percentile (P95) in boys and girls are up to 10 bpm lower than P95 based on pooled heterogeneous international studies and more similar to percentiles based on population data from NHANES (higher or lower by ≤5 bpm, depending on age). Factors independently associated with RHR in both sexes were age, SBP and height in children aged 3-10 years; and age, systolic blood pressure, and high aerobic fitness in adolescents aged 11-17 years. In girls, we further found an association between RHR and underweight (OR 3.3 and 4.7 for underweight girls aged 3-10 and 11-17, respectively, compared with normal weight girls). Associations between RHR and aerobic fitness, physical activity, and media use were stronger in boys than in girls. This study provides population-based RHR percentiles and evidence for sex-dependent associations of cardiovascular risk factors with RHR in children and adolescents, many of which are lifestyle related.

The effects of exposure to the famine during early life with elevated resting heart rate in the adult

To investigate the association between exposure to the famine during early life and elevated resting heart rate (RHR) in adulthood. From June 2006 to October 2007, the employees of kailuan group who took part in the health examination were selected. Of those, 18 619 cases who was born during October 1, 1956 to September 30, 1964 in Hebei province were finally included in the analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the subjects were received questionnaire survey, smoking and drinking, physical examination, Lab examination and the measurement of RHR. The subjects of famine exposure group (3 190 cases) were born from October 1, 1959 to September 30, 1961, semi-exposure group (3 851 cases) were born from October 1, 1958 to September 30, 1959 and from October 1, 1961 to September 30, 1962, control group (11 578 cases) were born from October 1, 1956 to September 30, 1958 and from October 1, 1962 to September 30, 1964. The RHR and the detection rate of elevated RHR were compared among the three groups. The Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between of exposure to famine during early life and elevated RHR in adulthood. The RHR level was higher in famine exposure group and semi-exposed group than control group, which were (74.34 ± 9.71), (74.41 ± 9.48) and (73.90 ± 9.45) beat per minute (bpm) (P values were 0.003 and 0.020, respectively). In all of the subjects. The results of multivariate logistic regression showed that exposure of famine during early life increased the risk of elevated RHR in adulthood after adjustment for age, gender and other confounders (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.21). In men, exposure of famine during early life also increased the risk of elevated RHR in adulthood (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04-1.28); In women, there was no association between the famine exposure and elevated RHR (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.74-1.14). Exposure of famine during early life increases the risk of elevated RHR in adulthood. This negative effect existed mainly in the male.

Elevations in time-varying resting heart rate predict subsequent all-cause mortality in older adults.

An increased resting heart rate (RHR) has long been associated with unhealthy life. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether time-varying measurements of RHR are predictive of mortality in older persons. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between repeated measurements of RHR and risk of death from all causes among older adults. We evaluated repeat measurements of resting heart rate among 5691 men and women (aged 65 years or older) enrolled in the Cardiovascular Health Study. RHR was measured annually for six consecutive years by validated electrocardiogram. All-cause mortality was confirmed by a study-wide Mortality Review Committee using reviews of obituaries, death certificates and hospital records, interviews with attending physicians, and next-of-kin. Of the study cohort, 974 (17.1%) participants died. Each 10 beat/min increment in RHR increased the risk of death by 33% (adjusted hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.33, 1.26-1.40). Similar results were observed (adjusted hazard ratio, 95% CI = 2.21, 1.88-2.59) when comparing the upper-most quartile of RHR (mean = 81 beats/min) with the lowest (mean = 53 beats/min). Compared with participants whose RHR was consistently ≤65 beats/min during the study period, the risk of death increased monotonically for each 10 beat/min (consistent) increment in RHR, with adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) ranging from 1.30 (1.23-1.37) for 75 beats/min to 4.78 (3.49-6.52) for 125 beats/min. Elevations in the RHR over the course of six years are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality among older adults.

Cardiovascular risk in a rural adult West African population: is resting heart rate also relevant?

Elevated resting heart rate (RHR) is a neglected marker in cardiovascular risk factor studies of sub-Saharan African populations. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of elevated RHR and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to investigate any associations between RHR and these risk factors in a rural population in Ghana. Cross-sectional analysis. A total of 574 adults aged between 18-65 years were randomly sampled from a population register. Data collected included those on sociodemographic variables and anthropometric, blood pressure (BP), and RHR measurements. Within-person variability in RHR was calculated using data from repeat measurements taken 2 weeks apart. Of study participants, 36% were male. Prevalence of casual high BP was 19%. In the population, 10% were current cigarette smokers and habitual alcohol use was high at 56%. As measured by body mass index, 2% were obese and 14% had abdominal obesity. RHR was elevated (>90 bpm) in 19%. Overall, 79% of study participants were found to have at least one CVD risk factor. RHR was significantly associated with age, waist circumference, and BP. Individuals with an elevated RHR had a higher risk (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.15-3.26%, p = 0.013) of casual high BP compared with participants with normal RHR independently of several established CVD risk factors. The regression dilution ratio of RHR was 0.75 (95% CI 0.62-0.89). Significant associations were observed between RHR and several established cardiovascular risk factors. Prospective studies are needed in sub-Saharan African populations to establish the potential value of RHR in cardiovascular risk assessment.

Skipping breakfast: Gender effects on resting heart rate measures in preadolescents

The cardiovascular response in children to morning nutrition has received little attention, and associated gender-related effects are virtually uninvestigated. This study evaluated resting heart-rate (HR) and heart-rate variability (HRV) in preadolescents after overnight fasting and again after eating a standardized breakfast or continuing to fast. HR increased slightly after eating and decreased significantly with continued fasting. These effects were present for both sexes. Relative to children who ate, those who continued fasting showed increases in HRV-particularly for inter-beat-interval and low frequency component (LF: 0.04–0.15 Hz) measures. Analyses revealed significant increases across variability measures for fasting children, but a selective LF decrease in those who were fed—an effect most prominent in females. Otherwise, males and females showed similar treatment-related changes in HRV. While within-gender comparisons showed similar results for HR, i.e., faster HR in fed compared with fasting males and females, respectively, fasting females—but not males—showed significantly greater increases in variability relative to their fed counterparts. Together, these findings suggest that extended overnight fasting initiates an increase in parasympathetic activity that attenuates the expected increase in cardiovascular output following a mid-morning meal. Observed gender differences were related to greater parasympathetic activity in males and to the apparent emphasis on parasympathetic regulation of LF variability. The implications of these findings for health concerns, the nature of responses to physiological and cognitive stressors, and how such differences may influence performance variables—particularly early in development when cardiovascular responses to these stressors may be more sensitive to nutritional factors—are discussed.

Skipping breakfast: gender effects on resting heart rate measures in preadolescents

The cardiovascular response in children to morning nutrition has received little attention, and associated gender-related effects are virtually uninvestigated. This study evaluated resting heart-rate (HR) and heart-rate variability (HRV) in preadolescents after overnight fasting and again after eating a standardized breakfast or continuing to fast. For both sexes HR increased slightly after eating and decreased significantly with continued fasting (p<.01). Relative to children who ate, those who continued fasting showed increases in HRV—particularly for inter-beat-interval and low frequency component (LF: 0.04–0.15Hz) measures. There were significant increases across variability measures for fasting children (p<.01), but a selective LF decrease in those who were fed—an effect most prominent in females. Otherwise, males and females showed similar treatment-related changes in HRV. While within-gender comparisons showed similar HR results, i.e., faster HR in fed compared with fasting children, fasting females—but not males—showed significantly greater increases in variability relative to females who were fed (p<.05). The observed gender differences appear to result from greater parasympathetic activity in males and an apparent emphasis on parasympathetic regulation of LF variability. Together, these findings suggest that extended overnight fasting initiates an increase in parasympathetic activity that attenuates the expected increase in cardiovascular output following a mid-morning meal. Supported by USDA CRIS 6251-51000-002-03S