Looking for a simple way to gauge your health that you can perform at home? Measuring your resting heart rate is a great way to monitor basic heart health, because resting heart rate (RHR) is a good indication of heart muscle function.
To test RHR, place your index and middle finger of your wrist directly below the thumb or on one side of your neck. Count the beats for 30 seconds, then double it. This will give your RHR for one minute. A normal, healthy range should be between 60-to-100 beats per minute (BPM).
Because several factors can influence your RHR, like circulating hormones, stress and anxiety, and certain medications, you'll want to ensure accuracy when measuring. Here are three ways to refine your test:
- Don't measure your RHR within one to two hours after exercise or a stressful event.
- Wait one hour before measuring, if you've recently consumed caffeine.
- Do not take the reading after sitting or standing for a long period.