The Heart Rate
Accelerates when faced with a stressful or exciting situation. Indicates that something makes us nervous for better or for worse. Sorry when we exercise or when we are in love. It is the rhythm of the heart, known as pulse.
What is the pulse?
The pulse or heart rate is the rate at which your heart beats to pump blood throughout the body. In other words, is the number of times your heart beats per minute. When the doctor takes your pulse, usually also can tell whether your heart is strong and if blood vessels are hard or soft.
Surely you’ve felt the pulse through certain blood vessels at the surface of the skin on your wrist, your neck or upper arm. If your pulse quickens and it becomes very weak is a sign that there is any irregularity in your heart or other problems.
So how can you tell if your pulse or your heart rate is normal?
The normal adult pulse rate at rest (ie when you are resting) goes from 60 up to 100 beats per minute. However, the resting pulse rate of a well trained athlete or sportsman is lower: 40 to 60. A low pulse in healthy adults suggests that the heart works more efficiently and is in shape.
To measure yourself at home pulse, simply place two fingers on the inside of your wrist (ie on the side of the big toe) or three fingers on your neck, just below the jaw. When you feel, look at your watch and count the number of palpitations in 15 seconds. Then multiply this number by 4 and get your number of beats per minute.
Remember that there are certain factors that can affect the pulse or heart rate. Among them are:
- Your overall physical condition (if you exercise regularly or not)
- Activity Level
- Air temperature
- Emotions
- Body position (lying, sitting, standing)
- Weight and height
- Use of drugs
Stay alert for any unusual changes in your heart rate, since it may indicate certain conditions (such as your thyroid disorders, heart failure, etc.).. If when you’re resting your pulse is above 100 beats per minute, you have tachycardia, and if less than 60 beats per minute is bradycardia. Consult your doctor if you also feel dizzy, you pass out and/or fatigue.