The relationship between resting heart rate and atherosclerosis risk factors

Abstract

Background and aim: The imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity is one of the important factors in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). There is a relationship between sympathetic activity and some CVD risk factors. Also heart rate (HR) is related to the autonomic nervous system. We analysed the relation of mean resting HR to hypertension, diabetes, obesity and to some risk factors [body mass index (BMI), hsCRP, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), LDL cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides (TG) and glucose (G)].

Methods: 6977 men and 7792 women, aged 20-74, randomly selected from the Polish population, were screened in 2003-2005 within the framework of the National Multicentre Health Survey (WOBASZ). Resting HR and blood pressure were measured 3 times using an automatic device and for analyses only the mean value of the 2nd and 3rd measurement was used.

Results: Out of screened subjects, HR <60/min was found in 11% of men and 7% of women, and HR >90/min - in 6% and 5% respectively. Medication that influenced HR was taken by 16% of men and 17% of women. Resting HR was correlated (p <0.0001) with BMI, SBP, DBP, hsCRP, LDL and G in men and with SBP, DBP, hsCRP and G in women. After adjustment for medication significantly higher HR was observed both in men and in women with obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high hsCRP and in smoking persons. The prevalence of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high hsCRP and smoking habit rose with increasing HR and the highest one was found in persons with HR >90/min. In multivariate logistic regression models resting HR was positively associated with hypertension, obesity and diabetes. In men, with every increase in HR by 10 beats/min, OR for hypertension was 1.28 (95% CI: 1.22-1.35), for obesity 1.24 (95% CI 1.17-1.30) and for diabetes 1.36 (95% CI: 1.26-1.48) after adjustment for age, medication and other factors (in women: 1.42 for hypertension, 1.14 for obesity and 1.47 for diabetes).

Conclusions: Resting heart rate is correlated with cardiovascular risk factors (body mass index, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol level) and with high hsCRP. Heart rate is positively associated with hypertension, obesity and diabetes which indirectly confirms the autonomic nervous system contribution to the pathogenesis of these diseases.