Factors associated with accelerated resting heart rate among college freshmen：a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence of accelerated resting heart rates (RHRs) among freshmen in a university in Wuhan and to explore the influencing factors. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey and physical examinations in a university in Wuhan from 2015 to 2017, including 12428 freshmen. A binary logistic regression model was undertaken to identify the influencing factors associated with their accelerated RHRs. ResultsThe prevalence of accelerated RHRs was 47.5% among the 12428 freshmen surveyed. Accelerated RHR of freshmen was related to female (odds ratio [OR]: 1.484, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.368 - 1.610, P < 0.001) and high blood pressure (OR: 2.709, 95% CI: 2.212 - 3.318, P < 0.001). Compared with rural students, accelerated RHR was more likely to occur in urban students (OR: 1.452, 95% CI: 1.333 - 1.583, P < 0.001). Additionally, students who came from the central and the eastern regions (OR: 1.452, 95% CI: 1.254 - 1.682, P < 0.001; OR: 1.363, 95% CI: 1.149 - 1.618, P < 0.001), rather than who came from the western regions, were more likely to have accelerated RHRs. ConclusionsStudents with accelerated RHRs made up a high proportion of college freshmen entering the university in 2015 - 2017 in Wuhan. For people aged around 18 years, more attention was needed to pay to RHRs and specific measures such as blood pressure management were required in advance to prevent accelerated RHRs. Key questionsO_ST_ABSWhat is already known about this subject?C_ST_ABSAccelerated resting heart rate (RHR) could significantly increase the risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, little research had reported the influencing factors associated with accelerated RHR among the young around 18 years old. What does this study add?We conducted a survey on freshmen to investigate the influencing factors associated with accelerated RHR, so as to provide early warning information for the occurrence of CVDs in a visual way. How might this impact on clinical practice?This study might serve as a reminder to young people to pay more attention to RHRs and provide early warning information about CVDs.