A new study suggests that adults with unusual changes in their resting heart rate over time might face a higher risk of developing heart failure or dying earlier compared to those with stable heart rate patterns.
Researchers found that people whose heart rates steadily increased over more than 20 years were more likely to experience these serious health problems than those whose resting heart rates remained steady or slightly decreased.
The study was recently presented at a major heart health conference, the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago. While the findings are preliminary until published in a scientific journal, they highlight the potential importance of monitoring changes in heart rate over time.
Resting heart rate refers to how many times your heart beats in a minute when you are calm and at rest.
For most adults, a normal resting heart rate falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute. People who are physically fit often have lower resting heart rates, as their hearts are more efficient at pumping blood.
The study tracked the health and heart rate patterns of 5,794 adults over 25 years as part of a long-term research project called the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.
Participants were, on average, 52 years old when their heart rates were first recorded and about 76 years old by the end of the study. Researchers identified four different patterns of resting heart rate changes during this period.
Most people—nearly 90%—had stable or slightly declining heart rates over the years. However, some participants showed unusual patterns. About 9% had a stable heart rate that began to rise slightly as they aged.
Another 2% experienced heart rates that went up and down, and less than 1% had heart rates that sharply increased over time.
Those with rising heart rates were more likely to smoke, be obese, have a history of heart failure, or have lower levels of education.
Even after adjusting for these risk factors, people with slightly or sharply increasing heart rates had a 65% higher chance of developing heart failure and a 69% greater risk of dying from any cause compared to those whose heart rates slightly decreased.
The findings raise questions about why these changes in heart rate occur and how they might lead to worse heart health.
Dr. Kunihiro Matsushita, one of the lead researchers from Johns Hopkins University, noted that while most people’s heart rates remain stable, the study reveals that a small percentage follow atypical patterns that could signal underlying health issues.
“The next step is understanding why these changes happen and whether they can be prevented or treated,” he said.
Heart rate monitoring has become more common with the rise of wearable devices, which can track heart rates daily.
According to Dr. Meagan Wasfy, a cardiologist not involved in the study, this research provides valuable insights into what changes in heart rate over time might mean. “If we can identify patterns linked to poor outcomes, we may be able to intervene earlier,” she explained.
For now, experts recommend paying attention to your resting heart rate. If you notice changes, especially if you also have symptoms like shortness of breath or fatigue, it’s important to discuss them with your doctor.
While more research is needed, this study underscores the value of tracking heart health as a way to potentially catch problems early and improve outcomes.
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