Why Keeping an Eye on Heart Rate and Pulse Is Kind of a Big Deal
Sharing some old tricks I’ve picked up along the way.
Last time, I spilled the beans on heart health, especially diving into the scary world of ischemic heart disease that took my dad too soon. I am fussy about my heart health, which is critical at my age.
Surprisingly, around 50 awesome folks stumbled upon that important story, and a few even threw questions my way, curious about different heart stuff.
So, I dropped another piece on Nitric Oxide, which seems a fancy word but a cool way of improving our heart health.
By the way, one of the Nobel laureates (Ferid Murad, MD, PhD) who worked on Nitric Oxide died last month. He was a good friend who helped me review my papers. He was around a decade older than me.
Only about 20 folks gave it a peek. I get it; I’m still the new kid on the block here, and my stories are like secret gems; only my ride-or-die readers are discovering them at the moment. I am cool with it.
Now, one of my mates in the same age bracket hit me up, wondering why the fuss about monitoring our heart rate and pulse. That got me thinking: why not spill the beans on this topic, too?
So, here I am, ready to spill the tea on why your heart rate is worth a closer look. Heart diseases are like sneaky villains causing a ton of trouble, snatching lives left and right.
Remember that world health report I mentioned? Ischemic Heart Disease is like the heavyweight champ in the ring of doom, claiming the top spot for causing the most havoc globally.
But fear not, because there’s a smart move we can all pull — monitoring our heart rate. It’s like giving your ticker a checkup to ensure it’s singing a happy tune.
So, stick around, and I’ll share some cool tips I’ve picked up. Who knows, it might just be the heart-to-heart you didn’t know you needed.
Okay, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of this heart rate and pulse monitoring business. Picture this process like having your health detective at home, but it is less mysterious.
So, why bother with it?
Well, your heart rate and pulse spill the beans on how your ticker is holding up.
Here’s the lowdown:
Your heart’s job is to pump blood, delivering the good stuff like oxygen and nutrients to every nook and cranny in your body.
The speed at which it does this is your heart rate, and it’s basically your heart’s dance moves — keeping you alive and grooving.
Now, this heart rate of yours spills secrets about your health. A nice, steady beat is like your heart whistling a happy tune.
But if things get wonky or change out of the blue, it might be your body’s way of waving a tiny red flag — maybe stress, dehydration, or something sneakier.
What does too fast or too slow mean?
Keeping tabs on your heart rate can be your smart move to catch issues early on. It could be too much stress in your life or lack of sleep if it’s consistently too fast.
If it is too slow, that might be a signal of potential heart shenanigans. You need to discuss this with your cardiologist.
Difference between Heart Rate and Pulse
Heart rate and pulse are used interchangeably as they are similar, but there is a subtle difference.
Heart rate can be measured at various points in the cardiovascular system, including the wrist, neck, or chest, while the pulse refers explicitly to the throbbing sensation felt in peripheral arteries and is measured at points such as the wrist, neck, or groin.
Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute. It can be measured at various points in the cardiovascular system, such as the wrist, neck, or chest. Heart rate can be calculated manually or electronically.
Pulse is the throbbing sensation felt in peripheral arteries, such as the wrist, neck, or temple. It is caused by the pressure of blood pushing against the artery walls during each heartbeat. Pulse is measured in beats per minute and is typically the same as heart rate.
Heart rate reflects the speed of the heartbeat, emphasizing fitness, exercise efficiency, and recovery.
Pulse is a broader term encompassing specific measurements at different pulse points, providing details on rhythm, strength, and location-specific considerations.
Heart rate can be measured using an electrocardiogram, a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
Pulse can be measured manually by counting the beats felt at a peripheral pulse point in 15 seconds and multiplying by four.
Heart rate and pulse are important indicators of cardiovascular health. A normal resting heart rate and pulse for adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Both heart rate and pulse measurements offer complementary information, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of cardiovascular health. Consistent monitoring and interpretation within various contexts enhance their diagnostic value.
You can discuss the details with your family doctor or your cardiologist.
How do you do it by yourself?
Sure, you can go all high-tech with fancy gadgets like Fitbit, Garmin, Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Withings, or Oura Ring.
You can use your fingers if you can’t afford these expensive devices.
You can measure heart rate and pulse in the same way manually with your fingers. The most common way to do this is to feel the pulse at the wrist.
Place two fingers (your index and middle finger) on the inside of your wrist, just below the base of your thumb. Press down gently until you feel your pulse. Count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds and multiply by four. This is your heart rate.
A short YouTube video from Dr. Mandell shows how to check your pulse quickly with your fingers.
Here are some practical tips to watch your heart rate:
In addition to regular checkups by my family physician and cardiologist, I do my heart rate checks on three occasions.
1 — Morning Ritual
I check it before I sip my coffee. A lower resting heart rate in the morning? That’s the golden ticket. It usually means my heart is doing its happy dance in good health.
2 — Aim for the Sweet Spot
During exercise, sure, our heart rate should climb, but not to the moon. So, I set my sights on a target heart rate based on my age and fitness level for a workout that’s just right.
3 — Occasional Stress Check
A stress check is necessary for a moment of calm amid chaos. So, after a day that feels like a rollercoaster, I take a breather and check my heart rate. It’s like a little health report card showing how well I handle the stress game that often happens in my life.
Final Thoughts
I visualize my heart as the rockstar of my body, headlining a fancy concert of my health. Monitoring its beat is like ensuring a sold-out performance every time.
So, I give my heart a standing ovation with regular check-ins — it’s the body’s backstage pass to a stellar show.
As we conclude our heart-to-heart, let’s remember our heart is the true gem of our well-being. Tuning into its rhythm is like giving our health a front-row seat.
So, don’t forget to check in on it now and then — your heart will surely appreciate the attention you give.
In my next story, I plan to write about heart rate variability.
In the meantime, if you want to learn more about heart rate and heart rate variability, you may check these two stories from Dr Mehmet Yildiz, my mentor who inspires and motivates me daily to share my life lessons here.
Thank you for reading my story.
Of course, this story is not health advice. I wrote it only for information sharing my personal experience. If you have health concerns, you need to see your doctor.
If you want to explore more from my life lessons, I compiled the links in a list to make it easy to find for you. Your feedback is important to me.
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