Heart rate, ischaemic heart disease, and sudden cardiac death in middle-aged British men.

Abstract

In this study of middle aged British men increased heart rate > or = 90 beats/min) is a risk factor for fatal ischaemic heart disease events but particularly for sudden cardiac death. The effect is not dependent on the presence of other established coronary risk factors and is most clearly seen in men free of pre-existing ischaemic heart disease at initial examination.