*Most of us understand the importance of regular blood pressure tests, and there’s a quick 30-second test you can perform at home to help assess your heart health and potentially identify health issues.
According to The Huffington Post, citing the NHS and Harvard Medical School, all you need are two fingers and a timer. Place your index and middle fingers on your wrist or neck—anywhere you can detect a pulse. Avoid using your thumb, as it has its own pulse, which could lead to confusion. Count the beats for 30 seconds and then multiply that number by two to determine your beats per minute (BPM). To ensure accuracy, repeat this process several times. For a more precise reading, measure your resting heart rate multiple times throughout the week at different times of day, as factors like stress, hormonal changes, and certain medications can influence your BPM.
Also, refrain from taking this measurement within an hour after exercising or consuming caffeine, as this test is intended to capture your resting heart rate.
For adults, a “healthy” resting heart rate typically falls between 60-100 BPM, although many individuals have rates below 90 BPM.
The British Heart Foundation says “If you have a slow heart rate and are experiencing symptoms like fainting and tiredness, you should make an appointment with your GP.”
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Dr Jason Wasfy, director of quality and analytics at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center, said: “In certain cases, a lower resting heart rate can mean a higher degree of physical fitness, which is associated with reduced rates of cardiac events like heart attacks.”
He added, “A high resting heart rate could be a sign of an increased risk of cardiac risk in some situations, as the more beats your heart has to take eventually takes a toll on its overall function.”
A 2013 study found an “Elevated RHR is a risk factor for mortality independent of physical fitness, leisure-time physical activity and other major cardiovascular risk factors.”
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