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Your pulse rate tells a lot about your physical and mental health. While a normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute, anything over or under this implies all is not well.
While a normal pulse rate varies for every individual, depending on various factors, a lower rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness. And so, if you are regular at exercising and workout routine, your normal resting heart rate would be closer to 40 beats per minute.
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According to experts, apart from your physical activity and age, a few factors that affect your pulse rate include:
Temperature
When exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures, your heart rate may increase or decrease slightly.
Pain
If you have pain in your body, it can increase your pulse rate due to stress response
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Medications like beta blockers lower the pulse rate
Stress
Stress and anxiety or extreme responses to emotions increase pulse or heart rate
Weight
Those who are obese have a higher pulse rate because the body has to work harder to supply the body with blood
Anemia
Low levels of red blood cells cause the heart to beat faster to supply your body with oxygen-rich blood
Hormonal abnormalities
Abnormal levels of hormones can influence heart rate
Smoking
For those who smoke, their pulse rate will always be higher, and quitting the habit can normalize it.
How do you measure your pulse?
To measure your pulse, place your index and third fingers on your neck to the side of your windpipe. To do the same at your wrist, place two fingers between the bone and the tendon over your radial artery — which is located on the thumb side of your wrist.
When you feel your pulse, count the number of beats in 15 seconds. Multiply this number by four to calculate your beats per minute.
What happens when the pulse rate goes dangerously down?
According to experts, when your heart rate is too slow, the pulse will automatically also be down. The condition – known as bradycardia is typically defined as a heart rate less than 60 bpm and can be due to side effects from medications, electrolyte imbalance, an underlying health condition, or a few problems with the conduction system of the heart.
While borderline or occasional bradycardia may not need treatment, if it gets prolonged, it can become more serious – leading to dizziness and fainting.
Certain underlying conditions are typically the true decider of what a “dangerous” heart rate is. If you’re already living with heart disease, heart failure, or a history of heart disease and notice a fluctuation in your heart rate, you should go to the doctor as soon as you can, as it could be a sign of a serious complication.