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September 2, 2024
A new study published in Scientific Reports underscores the impact of increasing resting heart rate on lifespan, revealing that a significant rise in heart rate over the years correlates with a higher risk of mortality in both men and women.
Background
Resting heart rate, a critical indicator of cardiovascular health and overall well-being, reflects cardiac cycle frequency and is influenced by factors such as metabolic rate and autonomic nervous system activity. Across mammalian species, larger body sizes generally correlate with lower heart rates and longer lifespans. Despite advancements in medical science and social care leading to longer human lifespans over the past two centuries, rising rates of obesity and other health challenges may impact future gains.
The Framingham Heart Study previously highlighted the association between higher heart rates and increased mortality risk among cardiovascular disease-free individuals. However, it did not explore how changes in heart rate over time might influence lifespan.
Study Design
The recent study analyzed data from three major population-based studies: the Paris Prospective Study I, the Whitehall I Study, and the Framingham Heart Study. Researchers used linear regression to confirm the relationship between resting heart rate and lifespan and Cox proportional hazards regression to assess mortality risk associated with changes in heart rate over time.
Study Findings
Paris Prospective Study I
Conducted between 1967 and 1972, this study included 7,976 healthy French men, with follow-up data extending to 1993. Analysis revealed a significant inverse relationship between resting heart rate and lifespan. A 10 beats per minute (bpm) increase in heart rate over five years was linked to a 20% higher risk of mortality.
Whitehall I Study
This study, spanning 1967 to 1969, involved 1,226 British men. Although it found an inverse association between resting heart rate and lifespan, it did not analyze changes in heart rate over time, limiting the generalizability of the findings.
Framingham Heart Study
Encompassing data from 4,001 US women and 3,299 men collected between 1971 and 1975, this study observed a similar inverse relationship. Notably, women lived five years longer than men within each heart rate category. A 10 bpm increase in heart rate over eight years was associated with a 13% higher mortality risk in men and a 9% higher risk in women.
Significance and Implications
The study highlights that a rising resting heart rate over time significantly increases mortality risk. This finding is consistent across three large-scale studies from different countries and emphasizes the importance of monitoring heart rate as a potential indicator of overall health.
In mammals, larger body sizes and lower heart rates are associated with longer lifespans. Similarly, heart rate may serve as a surrogate marker for total energy expenditure, which could partly explain the observed inverse relationship between heart rate and lifespan.
While reducing heart rate has been explored in patients with serious conditions, such as heart failure, the potential benefits of lowering heart rate in healthy individuals require further investigation. Regular heart rate measurement might offer a straightforward approach for monitoring health and longevity, potentially informing public health interventions in response to rising heart rates linked to unhealthy lifestyles.
Journal Reference
Gaye B. 2024. Association between change in heart rate over years and lifespan in the Paris Prospective 1, the Whitehall 1, and Framingham studies. Scientific Reports. Link to Study
This groundbreaking research underscores the need for ongoing attention to heart health as a key factor in extending human lifespan and improving overall well-being.
