Abnormal resting heart rates linked to higher stroke risks, study reveals

A resting heart rate outside the normal range could signal a higher risk of stroke. New findings show that both very low and very high rates increase the danger. Researchers suggest this simple measurement should play a bigger role in assessing heart health. A typical resting heart rate falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm). But the study found that risks rise at both ends of the scale. People with rates below 50 bpm faced a 25% greater chance of stroke compared to those in the 60–69 bpm range.

Very low rates, a condition called bradycardia, may reduce blood flow to the brain. This can raise the likelihood of an ischemic stroke. At the other extreme, rates at or above 90 bpm were linked to a 45% higher stroke risk. High resting heart rates were also tied to both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Beyond strokes, these elevated rates increased the chances of heart attacks and early death.

The findings highlight the importance of monitoring resting heart rate as part of routine health checks. Rates below 50 bpm or at 90 bpm and above were clearly linked to greater stroke risks. Doctors may now consider this simple measure more carefully when evaluating cardiovascular health.