If you’re worried about your heart and want to see if it’s functioning well, here are some easy ways to check your heart health at home.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. For this reason, it’s essential that you know how your heart is doing. Fortunately, there are some things you can do at home to test your heart health today.
Checking Your Health
One thing you can do to check your heart health at home is to see if you run out of breath while walking up the stairs. “If it takes you more than 1½ minutes to ascend four flights of stairs, your health is suboptimal, and it would be a good idea to consult a doctor,” says Dr. Jesús Peteiro, a cardiologist at University Hospital A Coruña, Spain.
Another tactic you can try is checking your heart rate (pulse) to get a basic measurement of your heart health. Your heart rate fluctuates throughout the day, so make sure you check your resting heart rate and maximum heart rate.
Your resting heart rate refers to your pulse when you’re relaxed and the higher it is, the higher your risk of heart disease. While the “normal” number varies by individual, a healthy resting heart rate typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm).
In contrast, your maximum heart rate refers to your heart rate during workouts. It lets you know how fast your heart’s beating while exercising. To know what your maximum heart rate (the highest it should ever go) should be, subtract your age from 220.
To measure your heart rate at home, simply put your index and middle finger on the inside of the opposite wrist and count the number of heartbeats you feel in 15 seconds. Then multiply that result by four to know your heart rate in bpm. In addition, you’ll want to measure it in the morning while you’re still in bed to get the most accurate resting heart rate. For workouts, you’ll want to use a fitness tracker or stop in the middle of your exercise to measure your pulse.
Preventing Heart Disease
By doing these simple tests, you’ll have a rough idea of how your heart is doing. However, you should visit a doctor at least every year to get a routine checkup. They’ll be able to help diagnose any cardiovascular diseases and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Besides prescription medications, doctors will recommend you adopt healthy lifestyle habits to prevent heart disease. For example, you can exercise regularly, eat healthily, and take supplements like L-arginine Plus to boost your health.
As a heart health supplement, L-arginine Plus promotes circulation, blood pressure, cholesterol, and more. Give your heart health the support it needs by checking your heart rate, living healthily, and taking L-arginine Plus.