The heart is an extremely vital organ of the body that requires apt and delicate care. Our lives depend on it. That is why we must take excellent care of our cardiovascular health. A normal heart rate has to be between 60-100 beats per minute. Abnormal heart rates may result in heart disease or other related illnesses. Changes in activities throughout the day may cause fluctuations in the heart rate. The rate at which our hearts beat has to be monitored regularly to maintain good health.
When it comes to cardiovascular health, we need to be well informed to avoid heart malfunctions or failure. The following are to be considered seriously:
Knowing Your Heart Rate
The rate at which your heart beats in a minute is your heart rate. It’s an essential indicator of your heart health. The heart rate can be affected by our emotions and actions. It increases or slows down depending on whether we are happy, sad, relaxed, or sleeping. The normal resting heart rate between adults and children is 60-100 bpm and 70-100 bpm respectively. For newborns, the heart rate is between 100 and 150. These statistics are considered to be normal resting heart rates.
Factors that May Affect a Resting Heart Rate
- Fitness level: When we exercise regularly, our resting heart rate decreases
- Age: As people age, their resting heart rate decreases
- Medication: Certain medication has often been proven to decrease the heart rate
- Body size: Obese individuals tend to experience lower resting heart rates
- Women have higher heart rates compared to men
How To Maintain A Normal Heart Rate
Exercising regularly helps to maintain a normal heart rate. Apart from this, other measures can be adopted to avoid ill health of the heart, such as relaxation techniques, namely yoga and meditation. Deep breathing and other methods help to manage stress levels. Maintaining a healthy weight normalises the heart rate; otherwise, if not, your heart goes into overdrive trying to supply oxygen and nutrients to your body. People should also avoid smoking or quit smoking as it destabilises the heart rate.
How To Check Your Heart Rate
To calculate your heart rate, gently place your index finger and middle fingers on the side of your neck or wrist, softly press and count the beats per minute. Repeat the process three times and calculate the average to get a correct reading of your heart rate. If you notice abnormalities or experience symptoms like dizziness or shortness of breath, immediately seek professional healthcare.
A healthy heart resides in a healthy body. Therefore, it is paramount that we take great care of our bodies by exercising regularly, following a nutritious diet, and avoiding or quitting smoking. Lack of such preventative measures may trigger heart-related ailments. One of the best cardiovascular centres is the Deepak Heart Institute, which you can visit for regular heart checkups, diagnostics, and treatments.