American journal of epidemiology
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The relations between resting heart rate on electrocardiogram, usual physical activity, and risks of all noncardiovascular mortality, cancer mortality, and other noncardiovascular mortality were examined in 7,735 middle-aged British men drawn from general practices in 24 British towns. Subjects were examined and administered questionnaires in 1978-1980. During a follow-up period of 9.5 years (to December 1989), there were 334 deaths from noncardiovascular causes, including 225 cancer deaths. ⋯ The positive associations with cancer and all noncardiovascular mortality persisted even after further adjustment for lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) and exclusion of men with underlying ill health and of deaths occurring within the first 5 years of follow-up. A significant inverse association with seen between physical activity and risk of cancer death, even after adjustment for the above factors and heart rate, with a significant reduction only in those engaged in high levels of usual physical activity (relative risk = 0.62, 95% CI 0.39-0.98). The data suggest that in middle-aged men, resting heart rate and physical activity are independent prognostic factors for cancer mortality.