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Heart Rate & Your Health

Publication Date: 
Wed, 02/01/2012

Did you know your resting heart rate may be a predictor of future health? A study from Norway showed that increasing your resting heart rate over a 10-year period showed a dramatic increase in death from ischemic heart disease1. Ischemic heart disease is a common but dangerous condition where your heart is not receiving adequate oxygen supply. Reasons for this include, but are not limited to: narrowing of your coronary arteries caused by high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes and high blood pressure.

The study published in the Journal of American Medical Association’s December 21, 2011 issue, found that people who went from a resting pulse of less than 70 beats per minute to more than 85 beats per minute 10 years later were twice as likely to die from ischemic heart disease.1 Patients who maintained their heart rate of <70 beats per minute over the 10 years fared much better.1

Keep that New Year’s Resolution

Many of us make resolutions to increase our activity to improve our overall heart health. Resting heart rate is relatively easy to improve by increasing your heart rate through controlled exercise and activity approved by your healthcare provider. There are many health advantages to improving your heart health including reducing your heart rate, improved sleep, increased appetite, and reducing stress.2

Taking warfarin doesn’t have to reduce your quality of life or limit your activity. It is always a good idea to start your exercise plan with a complete physical and work closely with your doctor to design a specific exercise and stretching program that meets your ability and minimizes your risk of injury.

  1. J. Nauman, I. Janszky, L. J. Vatten, U. Wisloff. Temporal Changes in Resting Heart Rate and Deaths From Ischemic Heart Disease. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2011; 306 (23): 2579
  2. American Heart Association. Fight Stress with Healthy Habits article. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/StressManagement/FightStressWithHealthyHabits/Fight-Stress-With-Healthy-Habits_UCM_001194_SubHomePage.jsp. Updated May 2, 2011.