25 May Elevated Resting Heart Rate in Childhood Linked to Early Mortality
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Bríain ó Hartaigh, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professor of Epidemiology
Dalio Institute of Cardiovascular Imaging
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and the Weill Cornell Medical College
Belfer Research Building New York, NY 10021
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study
Dr. Hartaigh: Elevated resting heart rate (RHR) during childhood and midlife are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality.
MedicalResearch: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Dr. Hartaigh: Interestingly, only a higher resting heart rate at age 11, but not at ages 6 or 7, was associated with mortality, and there was little attenuation in this association after adjusting for numerous potential confounders.
MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Hartaigh: While the positive relationship between elevated resting heart rate and the risk of dying has been well documented in adults, the role of resting heart rate as a distinct marker of health status in childhood remains relatively unclear. The current findings suggest that a rapid resting heart rate found during childhood could track into adulthood and act independently towards influencing cardiovascular risk later in life.
MedicalResearch: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Hartaigh: We encourage forthcoming studies to explore the potential role of childhood resting heart rate for later mortality risk and the disease processes through which it operates.
Citation:
Last Updated on May 25, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD