Your heart rate says a lot about your health. In more complex terms, your heart rate is actually your "resting heart rate"--your beats per minute when you are not physically active. Typically, the lower your heart rate is, the healthier your cardiovascular system is believed to be. That's because your heart is expending less energy to supply your body with the oxygen it needs. Most resting heart rates range from 60 to 80 beats per minute, but resting heart rate tends to increase with age and degree with physical fitness, the American Heart Association says. Don't waste time on a doctor's visit to find your heart rate--you can do this on your own in no time at all.
Step 1
Find a timer or clock that counts seconds. You will need to view the timer the entire time you are measuring your pulse.
Step 2
Place the index and middle finger of one hand onto the palm side of your wrist on the other hand. Gently press your wrist on the thumb side until you find your heartbeat. Take time to get down the rhythm of your heartbeat.
Step 3
Count the number of beats in a 10-second span. Multiply that number by six. This is your heart rate per minute.
Step 4
Repeat this once or twice more to confirm this result. You might get some slight variation each time you test for your heart rate. Average the numbers to get your resting rate, or choose the most common number.
Tips and Warnings
- The best time to take your resting heart rate is in the morning before any physical activity. Avoid eating food before taking your pulse, as the sugars and other chemicals in some foods can elevate your heart rate. You should be seated for five minutes before taking your pulse for best results. Target heart ranges are generally 50 percent to 85 percent of your max heart rate, depending on the type of workout you want to complete. Find your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220, then multiplying this number by the desired percentage. Typically, 50 percent is used for a light workout, 70 percent for an aerobic workout, 80 percent for an anaerobic workout and 85 percent for a red-line workout targeting fast-twitch muscles.
Things You'll Need
- Clock or timer
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