How old are you really? The resting heart rate bio-test
What You Will Need
- A comfortable chair
- A watch or clock with a sweep second hand
What This Test Measures
This test measures the ability of your heart to pump oxygen-rich blood into your system, allowing you the health and vigour to exercise and lead an active life. In dozens of studies researchers found that our ability to transport oxygen declines as our body age increases. This decrease begins in our thirties (for men it starts earlier, in their twenties) and continues through our adult years until by age sixty-five we have 30 to 40 per cent less invigorating oxygen in our muscles than we had as teenagers. The famous Framingham Study, which followed 2,400 women since 1949, found that women have a ten-year edge on their male counterparts terms of heart disease. But, the shocking news was that even thou women can buy themselves an extra ten years before the onset of ageing heart disease, they don’t benefit as much as men if they wait to take so-preventive measures after they have been diagnosed with heart problems, This test can measure the age of your heart and can help you take steps to make it younger and healthier before it is too late.
Ready, Set, Go
Sit down in your comfortable chair. Put your watch with the sweep second hand in front of you where you can see it clearly. Don’t hold your breath. Relax. Now find your pulse by putting your middle finger on the large artery in your throat, just under your chin. Put your fingers on that artery gently. Too much pressure can cut off some of the blood flow. If you have trouble finding the pulse under your chin you can use the pulse o the inside of your wrist. If you are going to use your wrist pulse, pull your chair up to a table or desk and place your arm comfortably on the surface. Then locate your pulse. Wait until you’re sure you have it. Now start counting and watching the sweep second hand. Count the number pulses in twenty seconds. Repeat the count a couple of times more so that you’re sure it’s accurate. Now multiply the number of pulses you count by three. This gives you your resting heart rate for one minute.
WARNING: DO not use your thumb to count out your pulses. Your thumb has a pulse of its own, which will skew your result.
