Death can be predicted by heart rate in patients with stable heart disease
An international study revealed that in patients with a stable heart disease, there's a link between the life expectancy and the heart rate at rest. This statement was made public these days at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2010, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society by Dr. Eva Lonn, a cardiologist and professor at McMaster University.
"The higher the heart rate, the higher the risk of death from cardiovascular and all causes, even after adjusting for all risk factors that could confound our results," says Dr. Lonn. It was established that patients with a pulse higher than 78 beats/minute had increased their chances of suffering a major cardiac event with 39%, a 77% increased risk of cardiovascular disease death, and a 65% increased risk of all-cause death compared to those with a rate of heart beating lower than 58 beats/minute. A normal heart rate for healthy adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
The study included 31 531 patients and collected data of the last 4 years. It was coordinated by the Population Health Research Institute and led by Dr. Salim Yusuf of McMaster University. The aim of the study, as Dr. Eva Lonn said, was to see if the heart rate might be an important predictive factor in following heart diseases, heart attacks or heart deaths. "Heart rate is measured routinely at every medical encounter, it's easy to do, it's cheap to measure, and we have good medications that can lower heart rate, so it is something we can treat," she says. "We are always looking for new ways to define which patients are at higher risk for developing vascular events."
Dr. Beth Abramso, a Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson noted that a high resting heart rate is associated with many conditions that put people at risk, including poorer heart muscle function. She says that people who are physically fit and who exercise regularly can lower their heart rate: "We know that their outcomes are better. Not all patients with high heart rates will need an adjustment in medication however. Regular activity and fitness training can also lower one's heart rate over time."
"This study on heart rate is intriguing but it is important that we are reminded how to truly reduce our future risk," she says. "Eating a balanced diet, being physically active, managing stress, limiting caffeine intake, and being smoke-free can help improve your heart health, regardless of the effects on heart rate." Dr. Abramson says the bigger question is why this occurs and what we can do to protect ourselves: "This study points out the link between heart rate and life expectancy. Further studies can look at just why we are seeing this association."
The original article is located at http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-10/hasf-lsf101810.php
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