My Diabetes Information Blogs
Heart Rate as a Predictor of Diabetes
03/17/08
Prevention
By Corie Richter, PA, RN
People with a faster pulse are also more likely to have diabetes and die younger, according to research.
Experts have identified a significant relationship between resting heart rate and life expectancy. A study was undertaken at Northwestern University in Chicago. Their goal was to determine if resting heart rates of middle aged adults could predict diabetes or diabetes related death as they entered the geriatric population (65 years old and older).
Statistics can sometimes be complicated, and no less so with this study. The subjects were between 35 and 64 years of age with no signs or diagnosis of diabetes when the data was collected.
Making adjustments for body mass index (BMI) and smoking, the research revealed when individuals aged 35 to 49 had elevated resting heart rates (12 beats per minute above normal) they were 10 percent more likely to have diabetes and die sooner in old age.
While reading such information is interesting, this research begs the question of why the heart rates were elevated in the first place. If the affected individuals in the study group were out of shape to start with, it comes as no surprise they might pass on sooner than those who were physically fit. What kind of lifestyle did they lead? What kind of diet did they follow?