Nizal Sarraf-Zadegan,
Volume 11, Issue 4 (2-1998)
Abstract
A number of epidemiologic studies have reported a positive relationship
between heart rate, cardiovascular disease and mortality. To examine the correlation
between heart rate and mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 2147
patients hospitalized in coronary care units in Isfahan were investigated in a cross-sectional
study. Their heart rate was measured according to an electrocardiograph
obtained during the 2nd, 5th and final days of hospitalization, and all patients were
followed for cardiovascular mortality. The means of3 measurements were divided
into four fractions.
A strong positive relationship between heart rate and cardiovascular mortality
was obtained. Confounding variables such as age, sex, type of infarction and drugs
were adjusted by regression models. The nonlinear regression relationship was
due primarily to a sharp increase in mortality in the highest quartile of heart rate.
We conclude that although sinus tachycardia can be considered as a predictive
independent risk factor for mortality after AMI, further longitudinal studies are
required.
