Resting Heart Rate Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Resting Heart Rate?
The resting heart rate (RHR) is the number of times a person’s heart beats per minute when they are at rest. It is an important indicator of overall health and fitness a lower RHR typically indicates better cardiovascular health, while a higher RHR can be a sign of potential problems. Knowing your RHR can help you determine whether or not you need to take steps to improve your cardiovascular health. To measure one’s resting heart rate, it is best to sit quietly for five minutes before taking your pulse in one wrist or neck using two fingers. Count the number of beats over 15 seconds and multiply by four to get the beats per minute. It is also important to note that factors like stress, physical activity and caffeine intake can affect your RHR, so it’s best to take measurements at roughly the same time each day for more accurate results. Generally speaking, an average adult has a resting heart rate between 60-100 BPM (beats per minute). However, certain athletes may have much lower rates due to their superior fitness levels. A study from 2010 found that elite athletes had an average RHR of just 42 BPM. Although there are no set rules on what constitutes normal when it comes to resting heart rate, any sudden changes should be monitored closely and brought up with a doctor if necessary especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. However, small fluctuations are normal and often caused by things such as stress levels or different sleeping patterns. Overall, knowing your resting heart rate can help you understand how healthy your cardiovascular system is and whether any further steps need to be taken in order to maintain good cardiac health so make sure you check yours regularly.