Put simply, your heart rate, or your pulse rate, is the number of times your heart beats in one minute. In order to be representative, your pulse rate is always measured when you are sitting down and relaxed. For this reason, it is often called your resting heart rate.
Heart rates vary greatly between people, but it is generally accepted than a resting pulse of between 60 and 90 beats per minute is healthy and normal. Very fit people may have a lower heart rate; in fact some top athletes have a resting rate of only 45 beats per minute or lower.
Many things can affect your pulse, including whether you are stressed, whether you have consumed any stimulants such as caffeine, or whether you are on medication.
The best time to measure your heart rate is first thing in the morning. To do so, use a watch or clock to time one minute and simply count the number of times your heart beats during that time. You can feel your heart beats by putting your fingers on a vein - usually one in your wrist or neck, as these are close to the skin surface.
Regular cardiovascular exercise will help to lower your heart rate, reducing the stress on your heart, and making your fitter and healthier. Be sure to start out slow with your exercise regime, perhaps by going for a gentle walk three times a week. Then, over time, build up your distance, speed and frequency.
By reducing your pulse rate you will reduce the amount of work your heart needs to do. This helps it to stay functioning healthily well into the future, and also reduces your risk of certain illnesses like heart disease.
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