Should You Measure Your Heart Rate Regularly?
Monitoring your heart rate is more than just a number on a fitness tracker—it’s a vital indicator of your overall heart health. Your heart rate, also known as your pulse, reflects how hard your heart is working to pump blood around your body. Whether you’re at rest, exercising, or under stress, your heart rate can provide crucial information about how your cardiovascular system is functioning. But how often should you be measuring it, and why is it important?
In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of regularly measuring your heart rate and how it can help you detect potential health issues before they become serious.
Why Heart Rate Matters
Understanding Resting Heart Rate
Your resting heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you’re at complete rest. For most adults, a normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Athletes and people who are more physically fit may have a lower resting heart rate, sometimes as low as 40 beats per minute, as their heart is more efficient.
Tracking your resting heart rate over time can help you understand what is normal for your body. If you notice any significant changes, such as a higher-than-usual resting heart rate, it could indicate an issue like dehydration, stress, or even an underlying heart condition. Regular monitoring makes it easier to spot these changes early on.
Exercise and Target Heart Rate
When you exercise, your heart rate increases to pump more oxygen-rich blood to your muscles. Knowing your target heart rate during physical activity is important because it helps you maximise the benefits of your workout while avoiding overexertion. Your target heart rate is usually between 50% and 85% of your maximum heart rate, which can be roughly calculated as 220 minus your age.
Measuring your heart rate during exercise can ensure you’re working within the right intensity zone. If your heart rate is too high, you risk overloading your heart, especially if you have an existing cardiovascular condition. Conversely, if your heart rate is too low, you may not be getting the full benefits of your workout.
Irregular Heart Rhythms and Arrhythmias
One of the most critical reasons to measure your heart rate regularly is to detect abnormal rhythms, known as arrhythmias. Common types include atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can significantly increase the risk of stroke if left untreated. An irregular heartbeat might feel like your heart is skipping beats, fluttering, or beating too fast or too slow.
While occasional irregularities are not uncommon, persistent or frequent changes in your heart rate or rhythm should be investigated by a healthcare professional. Regular monitoring, especially with a wearable device or at-home monitor, can alert you to these potential red flags early on.
How to Measure Your Heart Rate and What to Look For
Methods of Measuring Your Heart Rate
There are several ways to measure your heart rate, from manual methods to advanced technology that tracks your pulse throughout the day. Here are the most common approaches:
1. Manually Checking Your Pulse
You can measure your heart rate manually by placing your fingers on your wrist or neck where you can feel your pulse. Count the number of beats you feel in 30 seconds and multiply by two to get your beats per minute (BPM). While this method is simple, it may not be as accurate or convenient as other options, especially if you’re trying to measure your heart rate during or after exercise.
2. Using a Heart Rate Monitor
Heart rate monitors, which are often included in fitness trackers or smartwatches, can measure your pulse in real-time throughout the day. These devices use sensors to detect your heart rate from your wrist or chest, giving you continuous data. They can be particularly helpful for tracking your heart rate during workouts or noticing irregularities while at rest.
3. At-Home Blood Pressure Monitors
Many blood pressure monitors also display your heart rate along with your blood pressure reading. These devices can be useful for people who need to track multiple aspects of their cardiovascular health, particularly those with hypertension or other heart-related conditions.
What Is a "Normal" Heart Rate?
As mentioned earlier, a typical resting heart rate for adults ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute. However, what’s “normal” for you depends on various factors, including your age, fitness level, medication use, and overall health. Tracking your heart rate over time will give you a clearer picture of your personal baseline.
If you notice any unusual changes, such as a sudden rise or drop in your resting heart rate, it could be a sign that something isn’t quite right. Persistent high heart rates could indicate stress, dehydration, infection, or even a heart condition, while unusually low rates could suggest an issue with the heart’s electrical system.
Should You Be Concerned About Changes in Your Heart Rate?
When to Seek Medical Advice
Regularly measuring your heart rate can provide important information, but when should you be concerned enough to consult a healthcare professional? Here are some warning signs:
- Consistently High Resting Heart Rate: If your resting heart rate is consistently above 100 beats per minute, it could be a sign of tachycardia, a condition where the heart beats too fast. This could be related to stress, dehydration, or underlying heart problems that need medical attention.
- Unusually Low Resting Heart Rate: If your heart rate drops below 60 beats per minute (and you’re not an athlete), it might indicate bradycardia, where the heart is beating too slowly. While this isn’t always dangerous, it can cause fatigue, dizziness, or fainting in some cases.
- Irregular Heart Rhythm: If your heart rate feels irregular or erratic, it could indicate a condition like atrial fibrillation (AFib), which significantly increases your risk of stroke. In these cases, it’s important to seek medical advice promptly.
Emergency Situations
If you experience sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a very rapid or irregular heartbeat, it’s important to seek emergency medical attention immediately. In Australia, dial 000 to contact emergency services. These symptoms could indicate a heart attack or other serious heart-related conditions that require urgent care.
Conclusion: How Heartscope Can Help You
At Heartscope, we are dedicated to helping Australians monitor and maintain their cardiovascular health. Regularly measuring your heart rate can provide early insights into your heart’s condition, but it’s just one part of the bigger picture. Heartscope offers a range of diagnostic services, including heart rate and rhythm monitoring, to help you stay informed about your cardiovascular health.
Our expert team is here to provide personalised advice and care, whether you’re managing a heart condition or simply taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy heart. We can guide you in understanding your heart rate readings and recommend further tests or treatments if necessary.
If you have any concerns about your heart health or would like to schedule a check-up, contact Heartscope today. Together, we can help you take control of your cardiovascular wellbeing.
