Although RHR as a prognostic factor and potential therapeutic target remains underappreciated,
most clinicians believe that an
increased RHR should no longer be viewed as an
innocent clinical feature. Conversely, the data on the
benefits of heart rate lowering therapies remain
controversial. In the current article, we review the
data linking heart rate to cardiovascular outcomes
and examine potential mechanisms accounting for
the paradoxical effects of RHR reduction in hypertension
and the absence of a benefit in patients with
CAD.