| Abstract: | Background: Rapid resting heart rate (RHR) has been associated with kidney diseases among individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) but whether such an association exists among those without CVD, including ESRD, is unclear. Methods: Data from a cohort comprising 442,714 adults who participated in a private medical screening program between 1996 and 2017 in Taiwan were analyzed. Participants’ IDs were linked and identified 2,212 individuals undergoing dialysis or kidney transplant, with a median follow-up of 13 years. RHR was extracted from reading EKG performed in a supine position after rest. We grouped participants by RHR into 40-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, and 90 beats/min. Cox proportional hazard model was used to develop hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Approximately one-fifth (22.2%) of the participants had rapid RHR at 80/ min, and one-third (32.6%) had normal RHR (60-69/min). Rapid RHR had a higher CKD proportion than those with normal RHR. RHR at 80-89/min was associated with a 24% increased ESRD (HR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.42), and, at90/min, with a 64% increased ESRD (HR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.42, 1.90). Starting at 60/min, ESRD risk increased by 14% per 10 beats/min increase (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.19). By excluding participants with anyone with any of 4 CVD risks, such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes, or obesity, the significant increase remained in this new CVD risk-free sub-cohort. Conclusions: Rapid resting heart rate (≧80/min) is associated with increased ESRD risks, independent of CVD risks. Rapid RHR should be considered as a risk factor for kidney-related diseases. |
