By Christine Schroeder, MOT, OTR/L

Note: Please open attachments at the bottom of this column to view resting heart rates for men and women.

If February had you thinking about Valentine’s Day, why not take a moment to assess your own heart (health)?

Heart rate, or pulse, is the number of times your heart beats per minute. Normal (resting) heart rates vary from person to person, depending on a number of factors or conditions.

To calculate your (resting) heart rate, locate your pulse, usually on your wrist or side of your neck, with your index and middle finger (do not use your thumb as your thumb emits its own very small pulse) and count the number of beats in 15 seconds and then multiply by 4 to get number of beats per minute.

Click below to learn more about your heart rate and BP:

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/GettheFactsAboutHighBloodPressure/Blood-Pressure-vs-Heart-Rate-Pulse_UCM_301804_Article.jsp#.WnyB9YjwbIU

And whether the cold weather actually affects your BP or not:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058250?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=heart-healthy

As always, feel free to give us a call anytime to set up your free 15 minute consultation to learn more about how to become the healthier you!

CLICK HERE for Christine's previous column.

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