A High Resting Heart Rate Is Linked To Increased Risk Of Mortality

A long-term study beginning in 1985 that tracked the health of 3,000 men in Denmark looked at health data – including resting heart rate – of the 40 percent who died by study end in 2001. A resting heart rate – the number of heart beats per minute – of between 60 and 100 beats per minute is considered normal. Researchers found that a resting heart rate of between 51 and 80 beats per minute was associated with a 40 to 50 percent increased risk of death, while one between 81 and 90 beats per minute doubled the risk, compared with those with the lowest rate. A resting heart rate above 90 beats per minute tripled the risk.