Resting heart rate is associated with the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Korean adult: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a significant health challenge, yet early detection remains difficult. Resting heart rate (RHR) has been shown to be a reliable indicator of type 2 diabetes, prompting interest in its potential as an independent predictor of CKD. This study aimed to investigate the association between RHR and CKD prevalence, as well as explore potential interactions between RHR and other risk factors for CKD in a sample of 25,246 adults. Methods Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011–2014) were utilized for this study, with 19,210 participants included after screening. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between RHR and CKD prevalence. Stratified analyses were conducted based on known risk factors for CKD. Results Participants with an RHR ≥ 90 bpm exhibited a 2.07-fold [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28–3.34] and 2.22-fold (95% CI: 1.42–3.48) higher prevalence of CKD in men and women, respectively, compared to those with an RHR < 60 bpm. The association between RHR and CKD prevalence was particularly pronounced in younger participants (40–59 years vs. ≥ 60 years), individuals with diabetes (yes vs. no), and those with a longer duration of diabetes (≥ 7 years vs. < 7 years). Conclusion Elevated RHR was found to be significantly associated with a higher prevalence of CKD in both men and women, independent of demographic, lifestyle, and medical factors. These findings suggest that RHR could serve as a valuable predictor for undiagnosed CKD.