Resting heart rate is associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome and its components among Dong adults in southwest China: The China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) Study

Abstract

Background High resting heart rate (RHR), one abnormal manifestation of autonomic nervous system, was associated with metabolic disorders. However, the association between RHR and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components remains controversial. This study aimed to explore the link between RHR and MetS and its components. Methods The study included 6,589 Dong adults (1,434 patients) from the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) Study. Logistic regression model was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and assess the association between RHR and MetS, clustered metabolic risk, and MetS components. Restricted cubic splines model was used to evaluate the dose–response relationship between RHR and MetS and its components. Results A positive association existed between RHR and MetS, and people in the highest RHR quartile had a higher MetS risk (OR 1.75 [95% CI 1.42–2.15]) than those in the lowest quartile. The clustered metabolic risk associated with RHR (P < 0.05). Furthermore, RHR was related to elevated blood pressure (BP), elevated triglycerides (TG), and elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG), the ORs (95% CIs) for the highest versus lowest RHR quartile were 2.06 (1.75–2.43), 1.37 (1.17–1.62), and 2.53 (2.04–3.14), respectively. Similar results were found in sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Also, non-linear dose-response relationship existed between RHR and MetS and elevated levels of BP, TG, and FPG (P < 0.001). Conclusions RHR was related to the risk of MetS and three MetS components (elevated BP, elevated TG, and elevated FPG). RHR may be a useful indicator for MetS.