How To Measure Your Resting Heart Rate

How To Lower Rhr

Its important to maintain an active lifestyle with regular aerobic exercise, a balanced diet, regular sleep and hydration. If your RHR is high, these are the first factors to assess. Beyond the basic lifestyle factors, a few other steps can be taken to significantly lower RHR:

1. Alcohol and smoking. Regular drinking and smoking increase stress on the heart and the cardiovascular system. Cutting back or eliminating these habits altogether may have a positive impact on not only reducing RHR, but overall well-being as well.

2. Manage Weight. Maintaining a healthy weight promotes increased metabolic and energy efficiency and decreases strain on the heart hence lowering RHR.

3. Meditation. Long, slow breathing can help regulate your heart rate and over time works to decrease RHR as well.

Resting Heart Rate is an important measure of overall wellness for both athletes and anyone focused on a healthy lifestyle. At Biostrap, were dedicated to putting you in control of your health by measuring biometrics at clinical-grade accuracy, so you can track and improve your performance and wellbeing better than ever.

Biostrap Team

High Resting Heart Rate: Should You Worry

In general, a slower resting heart rate is a sign of good health. Some athletes and people who are very active even have heart rates that dip below 60 when theyre at rest.

A high resting heart rate, on the other hand, can be an indicator of problems such as:

• Poor physical condition.
• Infections.
• Thyroid problems.

Often, a high resting heart rate is a sign that your heart is working harder than it needs to. Like any muscle, the heart doesnt work as well when its out of shape. In people who arent very active, the heart isnt as efficient. It has to work harder to pump blood through your body, Dr. Singh says.

What Is The Most Accurate Way To Find Your Resting Heart Rate

It is believed that the most accurate way to measure your resting state is using a wireless monitor strapped around your chest. It reads out to a fitness tracker worn on your wrist but a smartwatch may also do the trick. Digital fitness trackers worn on the wrist such as at-home blood pressure machines or smartphone apps are believed to be less accurate than checking your heart rate manually.

Also Check: Why Do Av Nodal Cells Not Determine The Heart Rate

What Should Your Resting Heart Rate Be

Out of all the health stats to keep your eye on, your resting heart rate might feel like one of the more boring ones.

Seeing your heart rate rise while you’re exercising can be a confidence boost, letting you know you’re getting a good workout in. Checking it when your heart feels like it’s beating out of your chest is a fun reminder of just how anxiety-inducing some everyday situations can be like going on a first date or watching sports.

But when you’re just sitting down binge-watching some TV or typing away at your computer checking your resting heart rate can feel…anti-climactic.

And yet, it’s important to do now and then. A healthy heart is a strong heart, after all.

“Monitoring your resting heart rate is important because it can help provide clues about your overall heart health. For instance, a consistently high resting heart rate can be a sign that your heart isn’t working as efficiently as it could be. In some cases, it can even be a sign of an underlying heart condition,” explains Dr. Bindu Chebrolu, cardiologist at Houston Methodist.

Plus, one of the benefits of knowing your resting heart rate is that there are ways to lower it if it is too high.

How To Calculate Your Target Heart Rate Zone While Exercising

Exercise intensity is linked to how fast your heart beats, so keeping track of your heart rate can give you an idea of how hard your body is working and what’s typical for you.

There are two common measures to ensure you’re getting the most out of a workout:

• Max heart rate, which is the upper limit of what your body can handle during exercise.
• Target heart rate is the ideal range to ensure your heart is being worked properly.

You can calculate your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220. Then, when you’re doing moderate physical activity, your target heart rate should be between 64% and 76% of your maximum and for vigorous activity, the target is between 77% and 93%.

So, for example, an average, healthy 30-year-old should have a heart rate that stays between 121 and 144 beats per minute during moderate exercise, and between 146 and 176 bpm during intense exercise to get the most out of their workout.

The graph below is a rough estimate of target heart rate zones across ages, according to the American Heart Association. The numbers are meant to be general guidelines, so you should consult your doctor to discuss these numbers:

If your heart rate is higher than your target range during exercise, consider possible explanations before getting too worried. Osborne says he often sees people unnecessarily concerned if their heart rate is higher than that “target” range when, in fact, they might just be seeing the effects of starting a new workout routine.

Don’t Miss: How To Calculate Target Heart Rate Zone

Learn What Is A Normal Heart Rate And How To Find Your Pulse With Your Fingers Or A Device

Measuring your heart rate is any easy way to gauge your health, as it provides a real-time snapshot of your heart muscle function. For most adults, a normal resting heart ratethe number of heartbeats per minute while at restranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. A normal heart rate can vary from person to person. However, an unusually high or low resting heart rate can be a sign of trouble.

Why Is Heart Rate Important

Knowing how to measure heart rate recovery and resting rates is an excellent way to monitor your heart health and progress towards greater fitness. This is true whether you are newly embarking on a fitness lifestyle, or have been physically active for some time.

The number one cause of death in the United States,cardiovascular disease, is preventable. Regular cardio/aerobic exercise improves your heart health.

A strong, healthy heart is a more efficient heart that pumps a greater volume of blood with less effort for every beat per minute .

The opposite is also true. A weak, unhealthy heart must work harder andpump faster to deliver the same amount of blood.

Recommended Reading: Flonase Heart Racing

More Topics That May Interest You

We have all used the expression to describe someone as having a “big heart.” Not to be Debbie Downer here but, the truth is that an enlarged heart is a heart that has been working too hard. A smaller heart is an efficient, healthy heart.

Writer/attorney, Bonnie Gabaldon, is the owner/developer of the health & fitness website, BodiesOfEvidence.com.

Bonnie graduated summa cum laude from Oregon State University with honors. She is a member of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

She researched and authored a significant undergraduate independent study paper, The Effect of Female Hormones on Elite Female Athletes During the First Trimester of Pregnancy.

Bonnie attended the University of New Mexico School of Law and Georgetown Law Center, and has been a licensed attorney since 2003.

Some of the advertisers on my website are affiliate partners, which means that I may receive a small commission from any sale, at no extra cost to you.

Your purchases help to support this free-information website. Thank you.

The content of this website is for informational purposes only and not intended to be taken as a replacement for professional medical advice, care, diagnosis or treatment by a doctor, dietitian, physical therapist, nutritionist or fitness instructor.

DO NOT BEGIN ANY EXERCISE PROGRAM WITHOUT CHECKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR FOR UNDERLYING CONDITIONS THAT MAY PREVENT YOU FROM DOING SO.

Two Measurements Of Heart Health

Recovery rate is the speed at which your heart rate returnsto normal two minutes after exercise ceases. It is a measure of your cardiovascular condition. The faster your heart rate returns to normal, the stronger your lungs and heart.

It measures the peak rate during exercise as compared to the moment exercise ceases. A normal recovery decrease is at least 12 beats in 1 minute and about 20 beats in 2 minutes.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, a longer heart-rate-recovery time increases the risk of death more than a shorterrecovery time regardless of physical condition or other risk factors.

If you prefer, you can have your recovery rate determined by a stress test — something your doctor can order.

Resting heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you are at rest. By including cardio/aerobic exercise on a regular basis, you will see a reduction in your resting heart rate as your heart becomes stronger and expends less effort pumping more blood per heartbeat. If the heart is weak, it has to beat faster to pump the same amount of blood as a healthy heart.

The best time to check resting heart rate is first thing in the morning before you get out of bed. Resting heart rate speaks volumes about your state of fitness, and the more fit you become, the rate will decrease because your heart is more efficient.

Read Also: Ibs And Heart Palpitations

How To Lower Your Resting Heart Rate

In general, people who are more fit and less stressed are more likely to have a lower resting heart rate. A few lifestyle changes can help you slow it down:

• Exercise regularly. It raises your pulse for a while, but over time, exercise makes your heart stronger so it works better.
• Eat right. Losing weight may slow your resting heart rate. And studies have found lower heart rates in men who eat more fish.
• Tackle stress. Set aside time to disconnect from electronic devices and relax each day. Meditation, tai chi, and breathing exercises can also help.
• Stop smoking. Itâs one of the best things you can do for your overall health.

What Is A Healthy Resting Heart Rate For An Adult

A normal resting heart rate for adults lies somewhere between 60 and 100 beats per minute , and varies based on age group and gender. Women’s heart rates are about 2-7 BPM faster than men’s on average.

Generally speaking, you want to keep your resting heart rate as low as possible. One large, long-term study compared men with heart rates above 90 and those below 80. The men with higher average heart rates were associated with triple the risk of death.

People with lower heart rates tend to be more active and get more exercise than others. A young, highly-trained athlete’s healthy resting heart rate may be as low as 40 BPM.

Recommended Reading: Flonase And Heart Palpitations

Exercise And Your Pulse

If you check your pulse during or immediately after exercise, it may give an indication of your fitness level. A heart rate monitor is also useful for recording your heart rate when resting and during exercise.

Aerobic activities such as walking, running and swimming are good types of exercise because they increase your heart and breathing rates.

If you haven’t exercised before, or haven’t for some time, see our Live Well section to read about the benefits of exercise and how much exercise you should be doing.

How Does Apple Health Calculate Resting Heart Rate

In this guide, we will discuss How does Apple health calculate resting heart rate, how Apple Watch measures your heart rate and some tips in getting a better or more accurate reading. Additionally, we make a few recommendations on the data you might get and how it could be influenced by many factors.

Also Check: What Heart Chamber Pushes Blood Through The Aortic Semilunar Valve

How To Find Your Target Heart Rate

First, it helps to know your resting heart rate, Martin says. Find your pulse . Then count the number of beats in a minutethats your resting heart rate. The average resting heart rate is between 60 and 100, he says. The more fit you are, the lower your resting heart rate for very fit people, its in the range of 40 to 50 beats per minute.

Target heart rate is generally expressed as a percentage of your maximum safe heart rate. The maximum rate is based on your age, as subtracted from 220. So for a 50-year-old, maximum heart rate is 220 minus 50, or 170 beats per minute. At a 50 percent exertion level, your target would be 50 percent of that maximum, or 85 beats per minute. At an 85 percent level of exertion, your target would be 145 beats per minute. Therefore, the target heart rate that a 50-year-old would want to aim for during exercise is 85 to 145 beats per minute.

But theres an easier way to figure it out if you want to skip the math: Wear a fitness tracking device, or exercise on a treadmill or other machine that calculates target heart rate for you, Blaha suggests.

Can Resting Heart Rate Be Too High

Can resting heart rate be too high?

As mentioned, normal heart rate can range between 60 to 100 beats per minute. So, if your resting heart rate is consistently higher than 100, do you need to be worried?

“The more beats your heart has to take on a regular basis, the more strain it places on your heart over time. A resting heart rate regularly above 100 beats per minute is called tachycardia, which can place you at an increased risk of heart disease, and even death if your heart rate climbs high enough,” warns Dr. Chebrolu.

This means that it’s incredibly important to talk to your doctor if you’re resting heart rate is consistently high. He or she can run the tests and bloodwork needed to assess your overall heart health.

Your doctor can also recommend lifestyle changes that may help lower your resting heart rate, including:

• Getting regular exercise
• Regularly practicing relaxation techniques, such as yoga and meditation
• Losing excess weight
• Maintaining healthy choices and modifying your cardiovascular risk factors
• Avoiding certain prescription and over-the-counter medications that can affect your heart rate
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use

“In particular, starting an exercise program can help you decrease your resting heart rate up to one beat per minute for every week or so that you train with reductions in resting heart rate, over time, ranging from 10 to 12 beats per minute,” adds Dr. Chebrolu.

Also Check: Which Of The Following Signs Is Commonly Observed In Patients With Right-sided Heart Failure

What Affects Resting Heart Rate

1. Regular Exercise. This meta-analyses looked at 191 studies and concluded that regular endurance training and yoga helped lower RHR. Its important that whatever the exercise may be, it should increase heart rate for an extended period of time.

2. Hydration. Staying hydrated helps with blood viscosity and allows the blood to flow through the body more easily, exerting less stress on the heart.

3. Sleep. During consistent, uninterrupted sleep, the body rests, repairs and recovers. Poor or inconsistent sleep can be a large contributor to elevated RHR, putting stress on the heart.

4. Diet. A balanced diet full of healthy fats and low sodium keeps arteries clear, leading to lower RHR and less work for the heart.

5. Stress. Both short and long-term, stress has a significant impact on the heart by increasing RHR. Its important to incorporate healthy habits and routines to keep stress and anxiety at bay and help maintain a healthy RHR.

The Importance Of Measuring Your Resting Heart Rate

Resting Heart Rate can be a strong indicator of overall health and fitnesshere are the essentials on why you measure it and how to lower it.

For decades, athletes and trainers have obsessively tracked Resting Heart Rate as an indicator of athletic performance, but a low RHR is an important vital sign which indicates overall good health.

Resting Heart Rate is a measure of how fast the heart beats per minute while standing, sitting or lying down but not sleeping and best measured first thing in the morning. The average adult will have an RHR between 60-100 beats per minute, while athletes are likely to rest somewhere between 40-60 bpm. And the lower, the better, as RHR indicates the health of the heart leading to overall longevity, lower risk of heart attack, higher energy levels, metabolic efficiency and athletic endurance.

You May Like: Can Ibs Cause Heart Palpitations

What Are Heart Palpitations

A heart palpitation is when you suddenly become aware of your heart beating, usually in an irregular way. Sometimes you can feel it in your ears or your chest when youre lying down. Your heart beat may feel:

• too fast or slow
• like its fluttering
• like its thudding, or pounding.

It is not unusual to feel heart palpitations occasionally and mostly they are harmless. However if youre experiencing them on a regular basis, see your doctor.

Heart Rate For Exercise

Now that you know how to calculate your resting heart rate, you can also monitor your target heart rate when exercising. Target heart rate indicates the minimum number of times your heart has to beat in order to conduct cardiovascular activity. According to the American Heart Association and the CDC, the normal target heart rate should be 64% to 76% of your maximum heart rate.

Maximum heart rate is based on age. To find your maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 220. This is known as the Heart Rate Reserve method and gives you your target heart rate training zone. For example, say youre 60 years old. You would subtract 60 from 220 and get 160 beats per minute. Next, youd take 64% and 76% of 160 to get your target heart rate zone. Your target zone would be between 102 and 121 beats per minute.

These figures are just a guide so dont panic if your numbers arent dead on. If youre concerned about your resting heart rate or ability to reach your target heart rate during exercise, talk to your doctor. A qualified physician can help you figure out whats normal and what, if anything, you need to do to stay healthy.

Read Also: 10 Second Trick To Prevent Heart Attack