Association Between Elevated Resting Heart Rate and Early Atherosclerotic Changes in Young Adults
Resting Heart Rate and Early Atherosclerosis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69750/dmls.01.010.039Keywords:
Resting heart rate, early atherosclerosis, young adults, cardiovascular risk, subclinical vascular changes.Abstract
Background: Elevated resting heart rate (RHR) is increasingly recognized as an early cardiovascular risk marker, yet its association with subclinical atherosclerotic changes in young adults remains underexplored. Identifying simple predictors of early vascular remodeling is essential for preventing long-term cardiovascular disease.
Objective: To evaluate the association between elevated resting heart rate and early atherosclerotic changes, assessed through carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), in young adults aged 18–35 years.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, from January 2022 to May 2023, including 80 clinically healthy young adults. Resting heart rate was measured after 10 minutes of seated rest and categorized as normal (<80 bpm) or elevated (≥80 bpm). Carotid ultrasonography using high-resolution B-mode imaging assessed CIMT. Demographic data, BMI, and blood pressure were recorded. Statistical analysis included independent t-tests, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression, with p < 0.05 considered significant.
Results: Of the 80 participants, 32 (40%) had elevated RHR. CIMT was significantly higher in the elevated RHR group (0.72 ± 0.10 mm) compared to the normal RHR group (0.57 ± 0.07 mm) (p < 0.001). Resting heart rate demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with CIMT (r = 0.49, p < 0.001). Logistic regression showed elevated RHR as an independent predictor of early atherosclerotic changes (AOR 3.12; 95% CI: 1.48–6.55; p = 0.003).
Conclusion: Elevated resting heart rate is strongly associated with increased CIMT and independently predicts early atherosclerotic changes in young adults. Routine heart rate monitoring may serve as a simple, cost-effective tool for early cardiovascular risk identification.
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