Li FK, Sheng CS, Zhang DY, et al. - Considering body position as critical among unresolved issues in relation to heart rate (HR) as a risk factor, researchers examined the predictive value of HR in the supine and sitting positions for mortality in an elderly population. From a suburban town of Shanghai, 4,051 elderly (44.6% of men, mean age of 68.6 years) participants were recruited. For total and cardiovascular mortality, HR in the supine but not sitting position was of predictive value. The hazard ratios associated with HR in the supine position were 1.19 and 1.25 for 1-SD increase, respectively, and 1.53 and 1.69 for at least 75 vs less than 75 bpm, respectively. They noted a continuous and significant increase in the mortality risk with HR in the supine position starting from 63 bpm. These findings thereby support preferring resting HR in the supine position for risk assessment in the elderly.