Association of resting heart rate and arterial stiffness in healthy adults

Introduction: The arterial stiffness and resting heart rate (HR) are independent predictors of cardiovascular diseases. There are a few data about the association of HR with arterial stiffness in healthy men subjects. We aimed to evaluate this relationship in healthy male adults in the present study. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 volunteer healthy-nonsmoking male individuals (mean age: 40 +/- 12 years) enrolled in this observational study. According to the HR, the individuals were classified as group I, who have HR 50-70 beats/min (n=25) and group II, who have HR 71100 beats/min (n=25). History of the enrolled adults was recorded and they were physically examined. Blood pressure, body mass index and waist/hip ratio were measured in accordance with standard protocol. Arterial age and aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV)indicating direct measurement of arterial stiffness were calculated by TensioMed (TM) Arteriograph. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between two groups with regard to age, body mass index, waist/hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (for all p>0.05). The arterial age and aPWV were significantly higher in group II than group I (both; p<0.001). HR shows significant positive correlation with systolic blood pressure, body mass index, arterial age and aPWV (for all p<0.001). Conclusion: We conclude a relation between the HR and the increased arterial age and aortic pulse wave velocity levels in healthy male individuals. However, further studies are needed to clarify the pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for the association between high HR and arterial stifness.