Association between resting heart rate and pulmonary function in adult men

Elevated resting heart rate (RHR) is known to be associated with increased mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) whose pulmonary function is reduced. On the other hand, no study has reported on the association between RHR and pulmonary function in healthy individuals without COPD. Thus, this study investigated the association between RHR and pulmonary function in healthy adult males. This study was conducted on 3351 adult males aged 30–60 years, who visited the National Fitness Center (located in Seoul, South Korea) for health examination from Jan 2015 to Dec 2017. The RHR uses data measured using a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram, in the interquartile range (>60 bpm, 60–69 bpm, 70–79 bpm, ≥80 bpm). To test the pulmonary function, a spirometer was used to measure the forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and the FEV1/FVC. The diagnostic criterion of COPD was FEV1/FVC ≤70%. While FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC showed no significant variation according to RHR, a correlation was found between RHR and FVC (p < 0.05). However, no correlation was found between FEV1 and FEV1/FVC. The relative risk of COPD according to RHR showed no significant variation. RHR and pulmonary function in healthy adult males, the indicator of lung capacity, FVC, showed a significant correlation. To more accurately determine the cause-effect relationship between RHR and pulmonary function, a prospective cohort study should be conducted in the future.

Adult males; Resting heart rate; Pulmonary function

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