How to check your own resting heart rate properly?

[james_tigerwoods]

I've just been in the bath and I counted my own heart rate which was, at resting, 120bpm by my own measuring.

Now I know that 120bpm at rest is not good and now I'm not in the bath it's more like a hundred - but I'm wondering if I've counted it wrong:

I've put my fingers on my neck and felt the pulse there - For one minute, I counted the "pulse" or beats and that, as far as I can tell is my BPM - or is it? Am I counting it wrong/badly?

[mybrainhurts]

Shall I call an ambiwlans...?

[james_tigerwoods]

I think that by the time it gets here, I might have expired...

[mrsxllifts]

I have a handy watch that can take a heart rate at any time, if you want to borrow it? although, I do need it back quite soon as it will tell me if I am about to drop dead.

Is this a one off need to know or are you planning on keeping check on it? Does sound too far of the 'normal' mine is currently 82bpm but I'm sat on my arse in front of the tv and monitor doing not a lot.

Edited by mrsxllifts on Saturday 11th July 22:17

[Buzz word]

Your doing it right. Neck or thumb side of the wrist and then measure how many beats in a given time period and multiply or measure for a minute. Sitting here I count 10 in 10 seconds in both places. That corroborates with when I last used my heart rate monitor too.

Generally though its best done in the morning laying in bed before you do anything or take anything. Caffeine for example will up it and so will moving about. From experience measuring recovery times I find my BPM goes from 180 or so to 120 easily inside a minute and a half but even gentle walking about sees it at about 120 so it takes a while sitting about to settle it right down.

If you have just been moving about, enjoying your alone time, or stressing thinking your about to explode it could well be a bit high. try it tomorrow before you get up in bed if you don't explode.

[james_tigerwoods]

It's down to 86 while I'm watching TV - I think it was the hot bath that might have done it...

Still not good though - I might take you up on that offer at some point

I'll try it again in the morning while I'm resting, but I've a one year old who'll wake me up at some idiot time which will do wonders for my heart rate.

I'm actually a candidate for early heart attack due to a family hereditary condition too...

Edited by james_tigerwoods on Saturday 11th July 22:30

[deevlash]

120?! Mines 50!

[mrsxllifts]

deevlash said:

120?! Mines 50!

If the bath is hot, it can raise the heart rate.

[jagracer]

deevlash said:

120?! Mines 50!

Are you an athlete or about to die?

[james_tigerwoods]

deevlash said:

120?! Mines 50!

50??? What are you, unconscious?

[mrsxllifts]

james_tigerwoods said:

deevlash said:

120?! Mines 50!

50??? What are you, unconscious?

Not unusual for some people especially if they do yoga and other de-stress stuff. the deep breathing thing also works and snooker players/snipers etc can get their heart rates down stupidly low.

[Stevenj214]

I'm at 60

[BringbacktheP&P]

Mines 39.

Going to have to go off and use google now to see if that means Im super fit or if Im about to die.

[james_tigerwoods]

mrsxllifts said:

james_tigerwoods said:

deevlash said:

120?! Mines 50!

50??? What are you, unconscious?

Not unusual for some people especially if they do yoga and other de-stress stuff. the deep breathing thing also works and snooker players/snipers etc can get their heart rates down stupidly low.

Ah - That I didn't know... I'm usually at 85-90bpm myself.

[jagracer]

Mine was always around 80-90 till I started doing a fair bit of cardio exercise, now it'll go down as low as 65ish when I am completely resting in bed.

[mrsxllifts]

james_tigerwoods said:

mrsxllifts said:

james_tigerwoods said:

deevlash said:

120?! Mines 50!

50??? What are you, unconscious?

Not unusual for some people especially if they do yoga and other de-stress stuff. the deep breathing thing also works and snooker players/snipers etc can get their heart rates down stupidly low.

Ah - That I didn't know... I'm usually at 85-90bpm myself.

Mr XL can lower his to 25bpm when target shooting on the ranges which is scary really as he is not a small built person.

85-90 is a pretty good average so don't panic.

[jagracer]

mrsxllifts said:

Mr XL can lower his to 25bpm when target shooting on the ranges which is scary really as he is not a small built person.

How does he manage that?

[mrsxllifts]

jagracer said:

mrsxllifts said:

Mr XL can lower his to 25bpm when target shooting on the ranges which is scary really as he is not a small built person.

How does he manage that?

I really don't know, he has always been able to slow his heart down when needed think it just a case of clearing mind, deep breathing etc.

Edited by mrsxllifts on Saturday 11th July 22:58

[deevlash]

mrsxllifts said:

james_tigerwoods said:

deevlash said:

120?! Mines 50!

50??? What are you, unconscious?

Not unusual for some people especially if they do yoga and other de-stress stuff. the deep breathing thing also works and snooker players/snipers etc can get their heart rates down stupidly low.

Im fairly fit, I do Judo, no destress stuff or anything like that though. My Dads used to be about 40 when he was doing half marathons and stuff, I guess it runs in the family.

[mrsxllifts]

Just remembered, when having a rapid rate attack (SVT) I was taught a 'bear-down' breathing exercise that is very good for slowing down rates. It is basically breathing in then forcing the air down, almost like trying to push out a poo, without actually stting ones-self (the words of a professional!)The hospital normally get people to blow in to a syringe and try to blow the plunger out as it creates the same effect.