Cholesterol is a significant contributing factor when it comes to your heart health and function. This fat-like, waxy substance can build up in your coronary arteries, narrowing the pathways and preventing blood flow altogether. Over time, this can cause arterial hardening, heart attack, stroke and coronary heart disease. If you suffer from high cholesterol, you are at a higher risk of developing these associated conditions. Checking your heart rate signs may help to indicate a looming problem for which you should immediately seek medical attention.
Step 1
Check your resting heart rate when you wake up. A way to ensure your heart isn't working overtime is to do so in a resting state, where environmental factors such as stress of exercise won't influence your reading.
Step 2
Take two fingers and place them on the underside of your wrist or below your jaw line.
Step 3
Locate your pulse by gently pushing down with your fingers until you feel thumping. On your wrist, your pulse will usually be on the side below your thumb. You can find your pulse below your jaw line where your jaw meets your neck on either side.
Step 4
Count your heartbeats, which should be between 60 to 100 times per minute. If your heart rate is above 100 beats, this may indicate a heart palpitation, which may be a warning of heart failure.
Step 5
Re-check your heart rate throughout the day. Your heart rate will vary depending on your activity, particularly when exercising. If it is consistently over 100 beats per minute, however, you should consult your physician immediately, as this can indicate tachycardia, a side effect of heart disease.
Step 6
Seek medical attention if you have any additional symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest discomfort or pain in the arms, as this can indicate a heart attack. Sudden numbness in the face, confusion, dizziness and severe headache may indicate a stroke. This is especially important if you suffer from high cholesterol.
