Roundup: Health Risks Linked to Atypical Heart-Rate Patterns Over Time; and More News

Resting Heart-Rate Patterns May Predict Risk for Heart Failure, Early Death

New research suggests that adults whose resting heart rate follows an atypical pattern over time may face a higher risk of developing heart failure or dying prematurely – compared to those whose heart rate follows a normal trajectory. The findings, presented at the recent American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in Chicago, reveal that heart rate trajectories over decades could provide valuable insights into cardiovascular health.

The study tracked the resting heart rates of 5,794 participants over a span of 25 years. Researchers identified four main heart rate patterns:

1. Stable or Slightly Declining: The majority (88 percent) followed this pattern, indicating relatively stable heart rates as they aged.
2. Slight Increase: About 9 percent showed a stable heart rate initially, followed by a gradual increase.
3. Fluctuating: 2 percent experienced a heart rate that rose and fell intermittently.
4. Sharp Increase: A small group (0.5 percent) exhibited a sudden, sharp rise in their heart rate over time.

The research highlighted a concerning trend among those whose heart rate increased, even slightly, over the study period. These individuals were found to be at a 65 percent greater risk of developing heart failure and a 69 percent greater risk of dying from any cause, compared to those whose heart rate either remained stable or declined slightly.

What Does Resting Heart Rate Mean?

Resting heart rate is the number of heartbeats per minute when the body is at rest, typically between 60 and 100 beats per minute for most adults. It can offer a window into a person's overall cardiovascular health. Athletes, for example, tend to have lower resting heart rates due to better heart efficiency, while individuals who are less physically fit often have higher resting heart rates.

Researchers believe that changes in resting heart rate could reflect underlying cardiovascular problems or a higher level of physiological stress, though the exact causes remain unclear. In a news release from the American Heart Association, Kunihiro Matsushita, M.D, a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and the study’s senior researcher, expressed surprise that nearly 90 percent of participants exhibited stable or slightly declining heart rates. "Resting heart rate is well controlled in most people," he said. "But we found that over 10 percent of people don't follow that pattern."

The study also found that individuals with certain risk factors were more likely to show atypical heart rate patterns, including those who smoked, had a history of heart failure, were obese, or had lower education levels. These factors could contribute to the increased likelihood of developing heart-related issues as resting heart rate patterns deviate from the norm.

The implications of these findings go beyond just monitoring heart rate for immediate changes. As wearable devices that track heart rate become more common, understanding how changes in resting heart rate impact long-term health could help identify individuals at higher risk for heart failure or other cardiovascular diseases, the researchers note.

While it’s too early to say whether treatments should specifically target changes in heart rate, the research opens the door for further investigations into the mechanisms behind these patterns. "The next step is to find out why these changes occur and how they contribute to cardiovascular risk," Dr. Matsushita said.

Eating More Plant-Based Protein May Lower Heart Disease Risk, New Study Finds

New research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has found that consuming more plant-based protein, relative to animal-based protein, can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD).

The authors of the study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, say this is the first study to investigate the ideal ratio of plant to animal protein, and its specific effects on heart health.

For years, global dietary guidelines have encouraged higher plant protein intake for its numerous health benefits. But the optimal ratio of plant to animal protein was unknown. This new research offers clear guidance on how adjusting this ratio could be a simple strategy for improving heart health.

Key Findings: Plant Protein Matters for Heart Health

The average American diet typically contains a 1:3 ratio of plant to animal protein, meaning that for every gram of protein from plants, there are three grams from animal sources. According to lead author Andrea Glenn, a visiting scientist in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard and assistant professor at NYU Steinhardt, this ratio is much higher than what the researchers suggest is ideal for heart health.

“Our findings suggest that a ratio of at least 1:2, where plant protein accounts for half of your protein intake, is far more effective in preventing cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Glenn says. “For coronary heart disease, a 1:1.3 plant-to-animal protein ratio or higher appears to be optimal.”

These conclusions were drawn from an in-depth analysis of 30 years of data involving nearly 203,000 men and women from the Nurses’ Health Studies I and II, and the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study. The study tracked participants’ dietary habits, protein intake, and heart health over the course of several decades, with over 16,000 cases of cardiovascular disease (including more than 10,000 cases of CHD) recorded during the study period.

The Impact of Replacing Red Meat with Plant Proteins

One of the most striking observations of the study was the significant health benefits associated with replacing red and processed meats with plant-based protein sources. These foods are well-known for their link to heart disease, and the research shows that shifting to plant proteins such as nuts, legumes, and beans can make a substantial difference.

The results showed that participants who consumed a higher ratio of plant to animal protein had a 19 percent lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and a 27 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease. This is particularly striking when compared to participants who consumed the lowest ratio of plant to animal protein, which averaged around 1:4.2.

Beyond the ratio itself, the study also found that overall protein intake plays an important role in heart health. Participants who consumed the most protein (about 21 percent of their daily energy from protein) and followed a higher plant-to-animal protein ratio experienced even more impressive reductions in heart disease risk. These individuals saw a 28 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 36 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease compared to those who consumed the least protein (about 16 percent of their daily energy).

The study did not find a significant link between plant-to-animal protein ratio and stroke risk, though replacing red and processed meats with plant protein sources like nuts did seem to lower the risk of stroke.

Vaping has Immediate, Negative Effects on Blood Vessels, Oxygen Levels: Latest Research

While e-cigarettes, or vaping products, have been marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, research continues to cast significant doubt on that claim. A new study has revealed that vaping — whether with nicotine or without — can have immediate negative effects on vascular health.

The research, presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting in Chicago, shows that vaping can impair blood vessel function and reduce the amount of oxygen the body takes in.

This study highlights the potential risks of vaping, even in the absence of nicotine, and raises concerns about its long-term effects on heart and lung health. Here's what the research uncovered.

The study, led by Marianne Nabbout, M.D., a radiology resident at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, focused on how vaping impacts vascular function. Vascular health is crucial for overall well-being, as it ensures blood can flow efficiently through the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients while removing waste.

Participants in the study — ranging in age from 21 to 49 — were divided into four groups: smokers, vapers (both with and without nicotine), and non-smokers. Using MRI scans and blood flow tests, the researchers measured the effects of vaping and smoking on blood flow in the femoral artery, which supplies oxygenated blood to the lower body.

The results were striking: after using either nicotine or non-nicotine e-cigarettes, participants showed a significant decrease in blood flow velocity in the femoral artery. This reduction in vascular function is concerning, as poor vascular health can lead to serious conditions like blood clots, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Additionally, vaping — whether with nicotine or not — was linked to a decrease in oxygen saturation levels, suggesting that the lungs were not absorbing as much oxygen. This indicates that vaping may impair respiratory function as well, even in the absence of nicotine.

While e-cigarette aerosols do not contain the same cancer-causing contaminants found in tobacco smoke, they still expose users to harmful chemicals. E-cigarette vapor may contain substances such as lead, nickel, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, and glycerin—ingredients that are not harmless.

Dr. Nabbout, the study’s lead author, pointed out that the effects observed in the study might be due to these non-nicotine chemicals, which can irritate the airways and cause inflammation. "Even if there was no nicotine in the e-cigarette, there could be other components that may be harmful," Dr. Nabbout stated in a news release. This suggests that the risks of vaping extend beyond just nicotine addiction.

"Ultimately, we are relying on science to help guide the regulation of such products in favor of public health," Dr. Nabbout added. "Refraining from smoking and vaping is always recommended."