Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    ZeroBounce Launches Email Finder to Help Professionals Boost Email Outreach Efforts

    June 6, 2023

    Tom Cruise and cast to grace Abu Dhabi’s Mission: Impossible premiere

    June 6, 2023

    Game-changing Macs: Apple launches Mac Studio and Mac Pro with revolutionary Apple silicon

    June 6, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Angola News FlashAngola News Flash
    • Automotive
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Luxury
    • News
    • Sports
    • Technology
    • Travel
    Angola News FlashAngola News Flash
    Home » Resting heart rate: The overlooked metric in cardiac health assessment
    Health

    Resting heart rate: The overlooked metric in cardiac health assessment

    May 25, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email

    Amidst a plethora of health-tracking gadgets, an easily accessible and crucial indicator of health often goes unnoticed: the resting heart rate. This metric, which can be measured without the aid of any sophisticated devices, holds significant insights into one’s cardiac health.

    Resting heart rate: The overlooked metric in cardiac health assessment

    Resting heart rate signifies the frequency of heartbeats per minute when the body is at rest. In healthy adults, this typically falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Measuring it is a straightforward task: merely placing two fingers on the neck, adjacent to the windpipe, and counting the heartbeats over a minute.

    Cardiologists concur that understanding one’s resting heart rate can reveal significant information about heart health. Dr. Ernst von Schwarz, a triple-board certified cardiologist and clinical professor of medicine at UCLA, explains that the heart functions as a muscle, with its prime responsibility being to pump blood throughout the body. The efficiency of this function depends on the heart’s contraction or heartbeat frequency.

    A weakened heart, Dr. von Schwarz notes, compensates by beating faster to maintain the same blood flow. Fluctuations in heart rate may signify underlying cardiac issues or other health concerns such as infection or thyroid problems. Dr. Bethany Doran, cardiologist and Enabled Healthcare founder, further adds that trained athletes often exhibit a lower resting heart rate, signifying efficient heart function due to their regular exercise regimes.

    However, a high resting heart rate isn’t always cause for concern. Dr. von Schwarz explains that it could be a response to stimulants like coffee or pain. Certain medications and illicit drugs can also raise the heart rate. More worrying causes include anxiety, hyperthyroidism, dehydration, heat stroke, lack of oxygen, cardiac abnormalities, or heart failure.

    Concerns regarding a low resting heart rate are largely situational. Dr. Doran suggests that a rate of 50 beats per minute is usually benign, unless accompanied by symptoms such as shortness of breath or dizziness in older individuals. In such cases, immediate medical attention is advised.

    Should a consistently high resting heart rate be detected, Dr. Doran advises medical consultation, as it could indicate arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation, particularly in older adults. Although not life-threatening, this condition does increase the risk of blood clots and typically requires treatment. To manage a high resting heart rate, understanding its underlying cause is essential, as per Dr. von Schwarz. This could range from high caffeine intake to chronic anxiety.

    Regardless of an individual’s resting heart rate, regular physical activity is a universal recommendation for supporting cardiovascular health. The American Heart Association prescribes at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Maintaining an active lifestyle not only aids in heart health but also fosters overall well-being, allowing for a more peaceful rest.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email

    Related Posts

    Health June 2, 2023

    Ayurveda vs science: Decoding the cold water conundrum

    Health June 1, 2023

    Big tobacco’s big lie: Philip Morris’ smoke and mirrors strategy

    Health June 1, 2023

    Unveiling the most overlooked early heart attack symptom

    Health May 30, 2023

    From crisis to catastrophe: China’s potential 65 million COVID cases per week by June

    Health May 23, 2023

    Global healthcare experts gather in Dubai for PMES 2023

    Health May 22, 2023

    New study highlights potential of Pfizer’s oral weight loss drug as alternative to Ozempic

    Breaking News

    Tom Cruise and cast to grace Abu Dhabi’s Mission: Impossible premiere

    June 6, 2023

    Game-changing Macs: Apple launches Mac Studio and Mac Pro with revolutionary Apple silicon

    June 6, 2023

    Apple redefines laptop excellence with the thinnest 15-inch MacBook Air

    June 6, 2023

    EU’s €1.1 billion bicycle exports highlight shift to sustainable living

    June 3, 2023

    Strengthening UAE-India relations: Top diplomats discuss economic partnership

    June 3, 2023

    Ayurveda vs science: Decoding the cold water conundrum

    June 2, 2023

    UN urges immediate action to prevent food and aid crises in cyclone-hit Myanmar

    June 2, 2023

    Big tobacco’s big lie: Philip Morris’ smoke and mirrors strategy

    June 1, 2023

    Unveiling the most overlooked early heart attack symptom

    June 1, 2023
    © 2021 Angola News Flash | All Rights Reserved
    • Home
    • Contact Us

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.