Heart attack risk increased by raised resting heart rate
7 May 2010
Elevated resting heart rate (RHR) has been confirmed as a risk factor for developing a fatal heart attack — even in healthy people.
A large European study of more than 21,000 people without a history of coronary heart disease, angina or heart failure found an increase of 15 beats per minute in resting heart rate increased the risk of dying of heart disease by 24 per cent in men and 32 per cent in women after 12 years (Am Heart J 2010; 159: 612-19).
“Resting heart rates greater than 90 beats per minute have been shown to be associated with at least a doubling of risk — a similar effect to smoking,” the authors said.
The “strong, graded, independent relationship” remained after adjusting for age, gender, cholesterol, physical activity, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI), they said.
Last Reviewed: 07 May 2010
- 1. Cooney MT, Vartiainen E, Laakitainen T, Juolevi A, Dudina A, Graham IM. Elevated resting heart rate is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in healthy men and women. Am Heart J 2010; 159: 612-19. Available at: http://www.ahjonline.com/article/S0002-8703(10)00069-4/fulltext
