Depending on the activities you’re involved in, your heart rate can vary. In this Buzzle post, we will discuss what is a healthy heart rate.
Heart rate refers the number of times your heart beats in a minute, and is measured as beats per second (bpm). The optimal heart rate of an individual differs significantly when measured at different times in a day. And this variance corresponds to the amount of oxygen required by the body at that particular moment.
Also known as pulse, heart rate is a vital sign medically helpful for quick evaluation of an individual’s general health.
How to Check your Pulse
Once you find your pulse (in your wrist or neck), you either count the number of beats you feel for 1 minute or for 30 seconds and multiply the number by 2. For the latter, there are a few more variants that can be selected. You can count the pulse for 10 seconds and multiply the number by 6 or 15 seconds and multiply the number by 4. Either way, you will get your resting heart rate (pulse) per minute. If you have been resting for at least 5 minutes before taking your pulse, this figure will be an accurate total.
Normal Pulse
In children, between the ages of 6 and 15, the normal heart rate at rest is 70 to 100 bpm. For most adults, ages 18 and above, a resting heart rate of 60 to 100 bpm is considered normal. For adults, this figure can change depending on how fit they are as the resting heart rate can be lower than 60 to 100 bpm; somewhere around 40 to 60 bpm.
While checking your pulse, on a continuous basis, comes below 40 bpm or above 120 bpm, you should contact your health care provider immediately.
Resting Heart Rate
As the expression signifies, resting heart rate is measured when a person is not engaged in any type of physical activities. Apart from exercising, this also includes position of the body (lying down or standing up), medication, air temperature, body size, and emotions. All these factors can influence your heart rate reading. Needless to say, the oxygen needed during resting is relatively low, as compared to the required amount during body exertion. Eventually, resting heart rate is comparatively lower than that of the pulse rate measured during exercise.
During Exercise
The reading will differ from one person to another depending upon the type of workout being conducted, age, physical capabilities, medical history, and current weight. Physical exertion is safe and beneficial to a certain extent, but continuous vigorous exercising can make your heart rate falls beyond the healthy limits. You can check your pulse while doing the exercise or immediately afterwards. This will indicate your fitness level. Use a heart rate monitor for accurate reading.
In any case of abnormal heart rate, it is imperative to check the condition checked by a qualified physician. According to cardiologists, heartbeat rate or pulse rate is a prime indicator for heart attacks. Also, irregular heat beats is a subject of concern that should be addressed as soon as possible. Timely diagnosis will surely help to identify the underlying cause and treat it with therapeutic intervention.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
