Biomarkers · Cardiac & Hemodynamics
Resting Heart Rate (RHR)
Lower values carry lower risk. In NHANES 1999–2018 with linked mortality to 2019, each standard deviation is associated with a hazard ratio of 1.21. Reproduces in NHANES
NHANES, our fit with 95% CIPublished curve
Hazard ratios relative to each curve's own reference value, so the two curves need not cross 1 at the same point. The dotted vertical line marks the NHANES median.
NHANES hazard per SD1.2195% CI 1.19–1.24 · 49,576 adults, 7,365 deaths
Published hazard ratio1.17per SD (95% CI 1.12–1.23) · Meta-Analysis (46 Prospective Studies)
Across cohorts, HR per SD1.21NHANES 1.21 [1.19–1.24] · HRS 1.20 [1.17–1.23]
Where people sit
Population percentiles (bpm) by sex and age band. Cycle or source as recorded in the catalogue.
| Sex | Age | 5th | 25th | Median | 75th | 95th | n | Cycle / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | 20-39 | 55.0 | 65.0 | 72.0 | 80.0 | 93.0 | 2,670 | 2017-2018 |
| All | 40-59 | 54.0 | 64.0 | 72.0 | 80.0 | 93.0 | 2,620 | 2017-2018 |
| All | 60+ | 53.0 | 63.0 | 71.0 | 79.0 | 92.0 | 2,760 | 2017-2018 |
| All | all | 54.0 | 64.0 | 72.0 | 80.0 | 93.0 | 8,050 | 2017-2018 |
| Men | all | 52.0 | 62.0 | 70.0 | 78.0 | 91.0 | 3,910 | 2017-2018 |
| Women | all | 56.0 | 66.0 | 73.0 | 81.0 | 94.0 | 4,140 | 2017-2018 |
What studies found when this marker was changed
Effects on the biomarker reported in the cited studies. They describe what happened in those populations, not a recommendation for anyone. See all catalogued interventions.
| Type | Intervention | Reported effect | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| diet | Chronic high caffeine / energy drink abuse and high nicotine intake | +10 to +25 bpm elevation and arrhythmia trigger | rct | Svatikova A, et al. JAMA. 2015;314:2079-2082. |
| exercise | Zone 2 endurance training / Aerobic conditioning (3-5 sessions/week) | Decreases resting heart rate by 8-15 bpm | meta-analysis | Fox CS, et al. Resting heart rate and risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cau… |
| exercise | Cardiorespiratory endurance training (Zone 2 aerobic exercise) | -10 to -20 bpm reduction via increased stroke volume and vagal tone | meta-analysis | Cornelissen VA, et al. J Am Heart Assoc. 2013;2:e004473. |
| lifestyle | Severe physical deconditioning and prolonged bed rest | +15 to +30 bpm elevation | mechanistic | Convertino VA. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1997;25:121-140. |
| pharmacologic | Cardioselective Beta-1 blockers (Metoprolol succinate / Bisoprolol) | -12 to -22 bpm reduction | rct | CIBIS-II Investigators. Lancet. 1999;353:9-13. |
| pharmacologic | Sinoatrial funny channel inhibitor (Ivabradine 5-7.5 mg) | -10 to -15 bpm reduction without inotropic compromise | rct | Swedberg K, et al. Lancet. 2010;376:875-885. |
Sources
- Hazard curve: J Am Coll Cardiol 2008; 52:1258-1264
- Zhang D, et al. Resting heart rate and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the general population: a meta-analysis. CMAJ. 2016;188(3):E53-E63.
- Fox CS, et al. Resting heart rate and risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: the Framingham Heart Study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2008;52(15):1258-1264.
- Empirical curve: our Cox model with age and sex, NHANES 1999–2018 with linked mortality to 2019.