Weight is a factor that is connected to your heart rate in a number of ways. Your weight will affect your resting and exercise heart rates. Also, when trying to lose weight, it is important to pay attention to your heart rate, especially during exercise. Check with your health care provider before you begin an exercise program. If you have cardiovascular problems, it is advisable to involve your doctor in planning and monitoring your weight loss goals and heart rate.
Features
If you have a healthy weight, it usually means that your resting heart rate will be lower than that of an overweight person. Due to this, losing weight can lower health risk factors associated with your heart and exercise can improve the heart rate. In order to lose weight, it is good practice to measure your heart rate before, during and following the exercise.
Target Heart Rate
When exercising, your target heart rate is from 55 to 90 percent of your top heart rate, which can be figured out by subtracting your age from 220. While exercising, the range of 70 to 80 percent heart rate zone is the best, according to Dr. James Messina. He recommends staying in that zone for 20 to 30 minutes or more for the best results. The target resting heart rate is 15 to 20 beats per minute slower than your normal heart rate. Your recovery heart rate after a workout should be 120 beats per minute or less.
Identification
The best time to measure the resting heart rate is before you get out of bed in the morning. According to the American Council on Exercise, you should count the pulse on your neck or your wrist for one minute. In order to measure your heart rate while exercising, the proper method is to count your pulse for 10 seconds and multiply that number by six. ACE also gives a method to find a quick estimate of your exercise heart rate, which is to count your pulse for 6 seconds and add a zero to that number. For the exercise heart rate, it is advisable to check it right after you stop your exercise.
Significance
A 2006 article in American Heart Journal studied heart rate recovery in overweight and obese men. The article defined heart rate recovery as "the rate of decrease in heart rate after a graded exercise test." Heart rate recovery is important because it is a risk factor for heart problems and death. This study found that losing weight improved the exercise heart rate of the men in the study.
Effects
If you are overweight, there is a greater chance of you developing heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, "excess weight increases the heart's work." As part of being overweight, being inactive can also lead to heart disease. Becoming active can help your heart and lower your weight.
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