Resting heart rate is a very accessible clinical parameter in medical practice. Several observational studies have described the link between resting heart rate and the risk of cardiovascular events. An elevated resting heart rate was associated with an increased risk of heart failure and cardiovascular mortality, independently of cardiovascular risk factors. By contrast, interventional studies have shown that reducing heart rate with drugs was beneficial only in patients with pre-existing heart failure or those with coronary heart disease. We aim to review the role and implications of resting heart rate for cardiovascular prevention.