Heart rate and microinflammation in men: a relevant atherothrombotic link. Issue 8 (19th January 2007)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rogowski, O; Shapira, I; Shirom, A; Melamed, S; Toker, S; Berliner, S
• Is Part Of: Heart. Volume 93:Issue 8(2007)
• Page Start: 940
• Page End: 944
• Publication Date: 2007-01-19
• Subjects: ACE, angiotensin converting enzyme -- ARB, angiotensin II receptor blockers -- BMI, body mass index -- HDL, high density lipoprotein -- HR, heart rate -- hs-CRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein -- LDL, low density lipoprotein -- TAMCIS, Tel Aviv Medical Center Inflammation Survey -- WBCC, white blood cell count; Heart -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1136/hrt.2006.101949
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-6037

Abstract

Abstract : Objective and background: To explore the possibility that increased resting heart rate (HR) is associated with a microinflammatory response. Such an association could explain, at least in part, the recently described worse cardiovascular prognosis in individuals with increased HR. Methods: Concentrations of fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, as well as the absolute number of polymorphonuclear leucocytes, were analysed in a cohort of 4553 apparently healthy men and in those with atherothrombotic risk factors. Results: Following adjustment for age and body mass index, lipid profile and cardiovascular risk factors, a significant (p<0.001) difference was noted between individuals in the first quintile of HR (⩽58 beats/min) and those in the fifth quintile (⩾79 beats/min) regarding all the above-mentioned inflammatory biomarkers, the respective mean values being 7.38 and 8.11 μmol/l, 1.12 and 1.61 mg/l, and 4.23 and 4.74×10 9 /l. Conclusions: Resting HR is associated with a microinflammatory response in apparently healthy men and in those with atherothrombotic risk factors. Sympathetic activation might be a common factor explaining such an association. If confirmed in additional studies, this association might be a relevant target for therapeutic manipulations.