Trying to figure out how healthy your heart is? Check out the following five key indicators of a healthy heart and see how you measure up.
Keeping your heart in good shape is an essential part of enjoying and living a long and active life. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), doing any type of regular physical activity will benefit your health. If you want to maintain a healthy heart, then look for the following key indicators to make sure yours is in tip-top shape.
1. Heart Rate
Typically, a heart rate will fall in the range of 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). However, if you really want a healthy heart, your bpm should be somewhere between the 50 to 70 range. In fact, athletes and physically active people can get their heart to as low as 40 bpm, which indicates an excellent physical condition.
2. Blood Pressure
Healthy blood pressure levels are generally below 120/80 mm Hg. The top number here (120 in this case) is your systolic blood pressure and measures your arterial blood pressure. The bottom number (80) refers to your diastolic blood pressure and measures the pressure of your relaxed heart muscle. Moreover, any readings above 130/80 mm Hg indicate high blood pressure.
3. Energy Levels
If you’re experiencing low energy levels on a consistent basis, it could be a sign that your heart is in trouble. A healthy and efficient heart gets the necessary oxygen and nutrients to increase your energy levels. People experiencing chronic fatigue for no apparent reason should consult their healthcare providers.
4. Cholesterol
While you may have heard that cholesterol is bad for you, your body actually needs a certain amount to carry out important functions. However, if you have too much of a certain type of cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), it can be bad for your health. High LDL levels can lead to plaque formation, which causes blockages, impedes circulation, and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
5. Recovery Rate
People with a healthy heart can perform intensive exercises and quickly rebound to their normal heart rate. To test yourself, simply take your heart rate right after exercising and once more after resting for a minute. If you have a healthy heart, it should have dropped by about 20 beats or more.
The Outlook
If you’re looking to maintain a healthy heart, then scoring high points in these key indicators is the way to go. However, if your numbers are not in the healthy range, there are things you can do to improve.
For example, you can make it a goal to exercise regularly, eat a heart-healthy diet, and take supplements like L-arginine Plus. As a heart supplement, it promotes circulation, blood pressure, cholesterol, and more. If you’re ready to improve your heart health, then check to see how you measure up against these key indicators and take L-arginine Plus for extra support.