Analysis of Sensitivity and Specificity of Cutoff Points for Resting Heart Rate in 6,794 Brazilian Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Resting heart rate (RHR) is an accessible measure that may reflect the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Elevated RHR levels are associated with cardiovascular events in adults and cardiovascular risk factors, such as overweight, abdominal obesity and high blood pressure have been associated with high RHR. Therefore, obtaining a cutoff point for the RHR in children and adolescents is essential for better screening and subsequent clinical follow-up.

Furthermore, the early identification and screening of cardiovascular changes and cardiac autonomic modulation can be reflected by simple measures such as the RHR, since sedentary adolescents with abdominal obesity have lower heart rate variability (HRV) and, consequently, greater sympathetic stimulation, maintaining the RHR high and increasing the risk of developing heart damage throughout life.

[…]