There might be a risk factor that’s under the radar for many adults.
But according to a recent study, there might be a risk factor that’s under the radar for many adults.
As reported by Science Daily, the medical journal Open Heart recently published a study that found that men in their 50s who have a resting heart rate of 75 beats per minute or higher are twice as likely to die of heart disease within 11 years than peers with a resting rate of 55 bpm or fewer.
From 1993 to 2014, the study tracked the health of 798 men all born in 1943 in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Based on those 21 years of research, the team concluded that men who maintain a stable resting heart rate between the ages of 50 and 60 are 44% less likely to suffer cardiovascular disease before age 71 than their peers whose bpm rose during that period.
In fact, they reported, every bpm increase between 50 and 60 boosts the risk of death by 3% during the next 11 years.
While a resting heart rate of 50 bpm to 100 bpm is considered normal, those with heart rates of 75 or above were more likely to be smokers, less physically active, or generally more stressed.
In other words, habits that promote overall help also lower heart rates.
Catching a rise in heart rate early on could very well save lives.