What Your Heart Rate Can And Cant Tell You About Your Health
Before the rise in popularity of fitness trackers and smartwatches, cardiologist Sadiya Khan said patients rarely came in with questions about why their heart rates seemed high or low. But the growing interest in wearable devices, which some early research suggests can even detect coronavirus symptoms, means many people have a trove of real-time health information at their fingertips.
I see a lot more people asking about heart rate because you can track it, you can monitor it, you can make pretty graphs on your Apple Watch, said Khan, an assistant professor of medicine at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine.
But while your heart rate can be a key indicator of your health, Khan and other experts emphasized that it is just one piece of the puzzle.
Its a place to start, said Seth Martin, a cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins. If thats your entry into thinking about ones health, then thats great. But your heart rate cant tell you everything you need to know about your health, he added, and it is important not to fixate on that one measure.
Heart Rate Variability Range
The studies on Heart Rate Variability of late have taken a leap due to the fact that HRV has evolved as the most interesting & trustable marker for research studies related to resilience and behavioral flexibility. Although many think Heart Rate and HRV are one and the same they arent so. To be more precise, HRV is something like an advanced version of HR which is a more systematic, scientific and reliable method to know your strength to perform an act. The standard heart rate variability range is something anywhere from below 20 to over 200 milliseconds.
When To Contact A Doctor
If the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat becomes irregular or is causing distressing symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention.
Even if there does not appear to be any danger, a doctor can provide assistance in reducing the risk of complications.
If a person is experiencing the following symptoms, all of which are symptoms of a heart attack, someone needs to call 911:
- chest pain
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What Is Low Heart Rate
The medical definition of bradycardia is a heart rate that is slower than 60 beats per minute
Note: According to the American Heart Association, for a healthy person, your heart rate should fall between a range of 60-100 beats per minute when you are resting.
However, for most people, the figure should be closer to 60 than 100, as a score of 90 or above is still a mild cause for concern. Heart rate scores that are slightly lower than the 60 BPM low point are typically acceptable too.
In most cases, however, bradycardia is rarely ever a cause for concern. Plus, what your general practitioner will consider too low varies depending on factors like your physical conditions and your age.
Furthermore, with heart rate, lower is better, and it is quite common for healthy people to post sub-60 BPM scores. Nevertheless, when you get to the sub-50 range, things can get quite iffy as a heart rate that low can stem from a host of other underlying conditions.
So, should you worry about a low heart rate reading? It depends. It depends on the underlying factor that is causing the attenuation of your BPM.
What Is A Healthy Heart Rate What Is Optimal
An optimal heart rate about one beat per second; at rest, or . Consequently, for every 10 beats per minute increase, theres a 10 to 20% increased risk of premature death.
Theres strong evidence showing that everyone with a high heart rate is at risk , even otherwise healthy individuals. But there are ways that you can slow your heart rate naturally.
First, check your resting heart rate before you make any changes using the method in section 2. This reading will be your baseline number to track your progress and test which programs work for you. Secondly, record your heart rate after any changes you make.
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How To Take Your Pulse
Although you may be able to feel your blood pumping in a number of placesyour neck, the inside of your elbow, and even the top of your footyour wrist is probably the most convenient and reliable place to get a good pulse.
Press your index and middle fingers together on your wrist, below the fat pad of your thumb. Feel around lightly until you detect throbbing. If you press too hard you may suppress the pulse. You can probably get a pretty accurate reading by counting the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiplying that number by four.
The best time to get your resting heart rate is first thing in the morning, even before you get out of bed. To gauge your maximum heart rate, take your pulse immediately after exercising as vigorously as possible.
Your Thyroid Is Under
Your thyroidthe butterfly-shaped organ in your neckproduces hormones that help your body function correctly. If itâs not making enough, it means you have hypothyroidism, which could cause your heart rate to be low, says Taub.
On the other hand, if itâs overperforming and pumping out extra hormones, you have hyperthyroidism, which can raise your heart rate. Your doctor can test your thyroid function with a blood test.
Connect with us on , , or for more tips, recipes and ideas to fuel your ACTIVE life.
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Why Exactly Does Rhr Matter
Theres more to it than you think, says David Wiener, training specialist at Freeletics. Your RHR is the number of times your heart beats per minute when youre still and well rested, he tells SLMan. Your RHR is a vital factor that can indicate a number of health problems. A lower RHR, for example, can be linked to higher fitness levels and therefore a lower risk of cardiac events, while a consistently higher RHR has been associated with cardiovascular issues, as well as dizziness, shortness of breath and chest palpitations. In a nutshell, its a reflection of your overall health.;
Your Resting Heart Rate
When you are at rest, your heart is pumping the lowest amount of blood to supply the oxygen your body’s needs. For most healthy adult women and men, resting heart rates range from 60 to 100 beats per minute. However, a 2010 report from the Women’s Health Initiative indicated that a resting heart rate at the low end of that spectrum may offer some protection against heart attacks. When WHI researchers examined data on 129,135 postmenopausal women, they found that those with the highest resting heart ratesmore than 76 beats per minutewere 26% more likely to have a heart attack or die from one than those with the lowest resting heart rates62 beats per minute or less. If your resting heart rate is consistently above 80 beats per minute, you might want to talk to your doctor about how your heart rate and other personal factors influence your risk for cardiovascular disease.
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The Downward Slope: Your Metabolism Working Overtime
The Downward Slope is a sign that your metabolism is working overtime. Did you have a late meal, a late workout, or a glass of wine before bed? If your RHR starts high and reaches its lowest point right before you wake up, you may start the day feeling groggy.
If you regularly see this downward slope, it may be wise to stop and reassess your evening routine. For example, if you normally work out late at night, exercising; 12 hours earlier can result in positive changes.
Is Resting Heart Rate Different By Age
For most of us , between 60 and 100 beats per minute is normal.1 The rate can be affected by factors like stress, anxiety, hormones, medication, and how physically active you are. An athlete or more active person may have a resting heart rate as low as 40 beats per minute. Now thats chill!
When it comes to resting heart rate, lower is better. It usually means your heart muscle is in better condition and doesnt have to work as hard to maintain a steady beat. Studies have found that a higher resting heart rate is linked with lower physical fitness and higher blood pressure and body weight.2
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Normal Range How Do You Compare
Resting heart rate normally ranges from 60 100 bpm .
Being normal doesnt mean you are healthy though. For example, with a heart rate of 90 beats per minute, while you may not have a medical condition, you are definitely not fit.
Usually, the better shape youre in the lower your heart rate will be. Basically, you train your heart to work more efficiently by working out. For example, a professional athlete can have a normal resting heart rate as slow as 40 beats per minute .
Its important to know that both high or low heart rate can point to an underlying health issue.
You should consult a healthcare professional if your resting heart rate is consistently above 100 bpm, or if you are not a trained athlete but your heart rate is below 60 bpm. This is especially the case if you are experiencing symptoms such as weakness, shortness of breath, fainting spells, and chest pain.
Causes Of Low Heart Rate Variability
The causes of low heart rate variability as said above is due to many reasons and usually, it is due to the below situations;
- Exercising
- External stressors
- Internal stressors
Generally, when in resting-state a low HRV is unfavorable however when the body is in the active state a low HRV is favorable.
Even low heart rate variability can also be due to stress as heart rate variability and stress are linked to each other. Often, heart rate variability decreases in stress no matter where it comes from and how it is.
Similar interlinks between HRV and stress anxiety and heart rate variability are also related. Studies have found that anxiety leads to reduced HRV.
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When Does Your Heart Rate Go Down In Bradycardia
Bradycardia: Slow Heart Rate. But there are exceptions. Your heart rate may fall below 60 BPM during deep sleep. And physically active adults often have a resting heart rate slower than 60 BPM.
Bradycardia: Slow Heart Rate 1 Causes of bradycardia 2 Symptoms of bradycardia. A heart rate thats too slow can cause insufficient blood flow to the brain. 3 Complications of bradycardia 4 Treatment of bradycardia. Borderline or occasional bradycardia may not require treatment. Severe or prolonged bradycardia can be treated in a few ways.
Exercise And Resting Heart Rate
One study put participants through a 12-week aerobic conditioning program of cycling, Stairmaster, and running on a treadmill. Participants dropped their resting heart rate down from an average of 69 to 66, a 3 point drop. When they stopped the aerobic program, however, their resting heart rate went back to around 69 again.
It appears that you must continue exercising to keep your resting heart rate lower. What else can you do?
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Problems With The Hearts Natural Pacemaker
The hearts natural pacemaker, or sinoatrial node, helps regulate heartbeat. Problems affecting this can cause a persons heart to beat unusually slow or fast, which doctors call tachycardia.
A condition that doctors call sick sinus syndrome refers to problems with the natural pacemaker. Typically, another heart health problem, such as scar tissue in the heart, complications of diabetes, or coronary artery disease, causes these problems.
Things Your Heart Rate Says About You
- Prevention
That steady beat you feel when you touch your fingers to your wrist, neck, or the inside of your elbow is good newsit means you’re alive and kicking. And if you take a minute to figure out just how fast or slow it’s thumping, you might learn something about how to keep your health in check.
Determining your heart rate is easy; just take your pulse and count the beats for a full minute. But that info is most useful if you track it over time and tell your doctor about any substantial shifts, says Pam R. Taub, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego.
“What’s even more important than a single heart rate is the trend,” she says.
Taub says that the ideal resting heart rate for most people is between 60 and 85 beats per minute , though some doctors say up to 100 bpm is OK. If yours is too low or too high , it could be your body’s way of sending out an S.O.S. to tell you something’s not right.
So what could be troubling your ticker? Here are a few reasons that might explain why your heart rate is out of whack.
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How To Treat Bradycardia
The first step in finding treatment is getting diagnosed, which requires a visit to the doctor. The doctor will measure your heart rate with an electrocardiogram, or EKG/ECG. But if nothing comes up during your visit possibly because you have a minor case of bradycardia that only occurs occasionally the doctor may give you a portable EKG to take with you.;
Another handy gadget may be activity tracking features on devices like the Apple Watch. These devices can help track your heart rate 24/7 over many months and years, so it’s easier to detect if and when you have bouts of bradycardia.
After you’ve been diagnosed, treatment depends on the severity of your condition. Steinbaum says borderline or occasional bradycardia may not require medical intervention, and if there are no symptoms, it can be generally monitored. But if you have chronic or persistent bradycardia, she says your doctor may treat it in a few ways.;
“If medication side effects are causing the slow heart rate, then the medication regimen can be adjusted or discontinued,” says Steinbaum. “Also, a pacemaker can regulate the heart’s rhythm, speeding up the heart rate as needed.”;
Additionally, Duggirala says if hypothyroidism or sleep apnea is causing bradycardia, treatment of the underlying disorder will often help.
Should Your Rhr Be The Same Every Day
If you assess your RHR from a longer-term perspective say, across the week its normal for it to change day to day, says Anthony. If you did a heavy workout the day before, your body will be in a state of repair and needs more blood to support your muscles, so dont be alarmed if your RHR is a little higher than usual. At the same time, if you take a month off exercise, you may see your RHR increasing as your heart adapts to being less active. Exercise, in particular cardiovascular exercise, can improve your hearts ability to eject more blood per minute, therefore providing more blood for less effort, so if you have a few weeks off, this will take its toll.
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Know Your Numbers: Heart Rate
The better you understand your heart rate, the more you can maximize your movement to give your heart a good workout.
What is your heart rate?
Your heart rate, or pulse, is the number of times your heart beats per minute. Your resting heart rate is the heart pumping the lowest amount of blood you need because youâre not exercising. If you are sitting or lying down and youâre calm, relaxed and arenât ill your heart rate is normally between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Other factors can affect your heart rate include:
- Air temperature When temperatures or humidity increases, the heart pumps more blood so you pulse or heart rate may increase.
- Body position Sometimes when going from a sitting to a standing position, your pulse may go up a little. After a few minutes, it should return to a normal rate.
- Emotions
- Medications that block adrenaline tend to slow your heart rate. Thyroid medication may raise it.
Why your heart rate matters
Learn why you should track physical activity.
Whatâs considered normal?
Your target heart rate is the minimum heart rate in a given amount of time to reach the level of energy necessary to give your heart a good workout. To find your target heart rate to maximize your cardiovascular exercise, the first step is determining your maximum heart rate.
Your maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age. Your target heart rate for moderate exercise is about 50%85% of your maximum heart rate.
Averages by age as a general guide are:
What you can do
What Is My Role In Checking Out My Fast Heart Rate
If you are concerned about an elevated heart rate, make sure you arent currently dehydrated, and that you are being treated properly for any related medical condition.
If youve accounted for common causes of an elevated heart rate including reducing or eliminating caffeine and are still experiencing symptoms, make sure to see a doctor as soon as possible.
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Slow Heart Rate And Tired
Submitted by Dr T on April 13, 2013 9:12am
Unless you are an athlete , your slow heart rate and symptoms are abnormal, nor can your EKG look great.
If your heart beats too slowly, your brain and body might not get enough blood to function well, leading to any or all of the following;symptoms:
- Fatigue, weakness