title: Aging, resting pulse rate, and longevity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationship between resting pulse rate (RPR) and longevity in individuals aged 70 to 90.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Jerusalem Longitudinal Cohort Study (1990-2010) is a prospective longitudinal study of a representative cohort born in 1920-21.
  
  
  METHODS
  Home-based comprehensive assessment in 1990, 1998, and 2005.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals aged 70 (n = 453), 78 (n = 856), and 85 (n = 1,044), with follow-up to age 90.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comprehensive assessment included average RPR, beta-blocker usage, and physical activity level. Mortality data were collected from the Ministry of Interior from 1990 to 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cox proportional hazards ratios (HRs) were determined for RPR (continuous variable), adjusting for sex, education, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, kidney disease, anemia, physical activity, body mass index, self-rated health, dementia, beta-blocker use, and an interaction term for RPR by beta-blocker use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean RPR was 75.1 ± 9.9 at 70, 74.5 ± 10.9 at 78, and 68.5 ± 10.5 at 85 in women and 74.3 ± 10.7 at 70, 73.1 ± 11.2 at 78, and 65.2 ± 10.5 at 85 in men, with a significant decline from 78 to 85 for both sexes. In participants not taking beta-blockers followed up from 70 to 77, 78 to 84, and 85 to 90, mean RPR was lower in survivors than nonsurvivors for women (75.8 ± 9.2 vs 83.5 ± 10.9, P < .001; 75.2 ± 9.8 vs 79.9 ± 12.6, P = .004; 71.5 ± 9.9 vs 74.6 ± 10.7, P = .02, respectively) and men (75.2 ± 10.3 vs 75.2 ± 10.9, P = .98; 73.5 ± 10.1 vs 77.2 ± 12.1, P = .005; 67.1 ± 9.5 vs 70.4 ± 11.7, P = .01, respectively). Adjusted HRs for mortality per 10-beat increase in RPR during follow-up were 1.13 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.87-1.47) for 70 to 77, 1.35 (95% CI = 1.11-1.65) for 78 to 84, and 1.17 (95% CI = 1.01-1.37) for 85 to 90.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RPR declines in the oldest old, and this decline is associated with greater longevity. It may serve as a simple prognostic marker in the oldest old.
authors.affiliation: Jerusalem Institute of Aging Research, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center and Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Jochanan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stessman
authors.forename: Jeremy M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Irit
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stessman-Lande
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilon
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leibowitz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors