Prognostic characteristics of heart rate recovery according to sex in patients with heart failure.

We hypothesized that heart rate recovery (HRR) will provide superior prognostic resolution in female compared to male heart failure (HF) patients. A total of 745 patients with HF underwent exercise testing to determine HRR. While receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed HRR prognostic classification schemes were significant for both males (area: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.67-0.78, p<0.001) and females (area: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.75-0.89, p<0.001), it was stronger in the latter group. The prognostic strength of HRR may be superior in female HF patients. This discrepancy may be driven by the ability of HRR to better reflect autonomic function in females.