A Rise in Your Resting Heart Rate: Why Worry?

It’s been known for more than 25 years that a high resting heart rate is associated with an increased risk of death from coronary heart disease (CHD). This is true for individuals with no known cardiovascular disease as well as in those with hypertension or heart diseases such as CHD and heart failure. Now, a new study done in Norway is the first to show the ill effects of a rise in resting heart rate in the general population. 

Risks for People without CHD

Results of this research, published in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed that an increase in heart rate at rest over a 10-year period is significant. Such an increase is associated with a much greater risk of death from CHD. The study involved 29,325 men and women without known cardiovascular disease. Participants' resting heart rate was determined at baseline and 10 years later. In those whose heart rate had increased from 70 to 85 beats/min over the years, their risk of dying of CHD over a 13-year follow-up was 90 percent higher.

What can you do to keep your pulse rate from rising?

A recent newspaper ad addressed this issue with the advice to monitor your pulse rate by buying their Heart Rate Monitoring device. But, I see no advantage in worrying every minute about your heart rate. Instead, I would suggest that you attempt to improve your physical fitness.

Better fitness will not only lead to a lower heart rate and blood pressure, but has also been associated with a smaller risk of overall and cardiovascular disease mortality. A 30-minute walk 5 days a week, often recommended as a prescription for physical activity, will help to achieve these goals. Even greater benefits can result from more vigorous exercise, such as walking faster or for longer duration. Older individuals, couch potatoes, and those who have known CHD or risk factors such as cigarette smoking, and/or high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, need to consult with their doctor before undertaking a strenuous program of physical activity. It’s also important to increase physical activity gradually.