At rest heart rate

[Denise]

Ok.... I'm new here so I wasn't sure where to post this but....
I'm curious about at rest heart rates? Mine is almost always in the 90's. I'm 5'3" tall 145 lbs. & I'm 36 years old. I heard on tv that women should have a low at rest heart rate. I feel ok but wonder if this will be a strain on my heart in the long run. Any thoughts.

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by Denise

Ok.... I'm new here so I wasn't sure where to post this but....
I'm curious about at rest heart rates? Mine is almost always in the 90's. I'm 5'3" tall 145 lbs. & I'm 36 years old. I heard on tv that women should have a low at rest heart rate. I feel ok but wonder if this will be a strain on my heart in the long run. Any thoughts.

The average resting heart rate for women is between 75 and 80 beats. But before you start worrying, you have to take into account whether you were moving around before you took your pulse, or whether you had a meal, or any caffeine etc etc...all of which will raise te heart rate.

The best time to take the heart rate is first thing in the morning, but not after the alarm goes off, 'cos that can cause a rise in heart rate too. Once you get out of bed, the heart rate will go up, because it alters as soon as you stand up...so take it when laying down upon waking. And you may notice that it's not as high as 90+, and you'll get a more accurate idea of your resting heart rate.

Either way though, exercise will lower your heart rate in the long run.

[stikfigure]

Welcome to the forum Denise!
Keep us posted on your progress.
Resting heart rate is a really good and simple gauge for progress. Thanks for reminding us about it.

[Denise]

I heard that about checking in the morning. I have 4 kids so I get up & hit the ground running. I do have coffee in the morning & I smoke(so go ahead I fuss at me). I have been exercising & trying to eat right but I will try checking my heart rate in the morning & maybe after exercise. To see how long it takes to slow back down to my "normal". Thanks

[kathy]

Ok I know I'm going to sound foolish but I have a really hard time gtting my resting heart rate while still in bed. Is taking it at the gym about an hour after getting up a total waste of my time. I get to the gym 6 mornings a week adn workout on either the treadmill or elipitcal.

[5kgLifter]

Originally Posted by kathy

Ok I know I'm going to sound foolish but I have a really hard time gtting my resting heart rate while still in bed. Is taking it at the gym about an hour after getting up a total waste of my time. I get to the gym 6 mornings a week adn workout on either the treadmill or elipitcal.

Taking it an hour after waking up will not give a 'true' reflection of resting heart rate, since you will have been up and moving around for quite a while; but it will give you some idea of what your heart rate is, remembering that from seated to standing the rate can alter by 20 beats. Try sitting up in bed and waiting 5 minutes and then taking it. I have problems taking mine because I apparently have an irregular regular heartbeat...I know that sounds odd, but it just means that mine beats 3 times and then skips a beat, and then beats 3 more times, skips a beat etc etc...so, to get an accurate measurement of mine I use a blood pressure monitor, one that just straps on to the wrist...that seems to work for me. If I do a manual count, I normally just count either 10 or 15 secs and multiply it to get a minute.

[stikfigure]

Originally Posted by kathy

Ok I know I'm going to sound foolish but I have a really hard time gtting my resting heart rate while still in bed. Is taking it at the gym about an hour after getting up a total waste of my time. I get to the gym 6 mornings a week adn workout on either the treadmill or elipitcal.

If it's truly impossible for you to get your heart rate while still in bed and if you're just using it as a progress marker I think as long as you take it at precisely the same time under exactly the same circumstances each day, you'll still be able to track changes but you'll just have to remember that it's not your true resting heart rate.

[heartbeatcrazy]

my resting heart rate is 120 bpm is that good? i am helthy i work out i dont smoke i run every day i take my blood presher ever day and my heart rate befor i run.

[5kgLifter]

Depends how old you are really. Although it does sound a bit high, but if you take your blood pressure everyday and it's okay, then it may not be a problem...but personally, I'd get a check up with a doc just to make sure.