Elevated heart rate: prognostic marker and cardiovascular risk factor
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this review was to highlight the role of a prognostic marker and risk factor factor that has largely been neglected – elevated resting heart rate. In the first part, we discuss the causes and consequences of fast heart rate. Later on, extensive data are presented that prove the prognostic role of elevated heart rate in cardiac patients as well as in general population.
Conclusions: We find out that elevated resting heart rate is an independent risk factor for all cause – and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. This is particularly true for the risk of sudden cardiac death. We also discuss the favourable effects of beta receptor blocking drugs on long-term survival of cardiac patients that may be due to heart rate slowing effect. At the end, we briefly comment on ivabradine, a new selective sinus node automaticity blocking drug.
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