Stress Management

Heart Function Self-Test

A simple pulse test will tell you how well your heart is functioning. The best time to do this is first thing in the morning. The normal heart rate should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute.

This is how to take your pulse: Place the first two fingers of your right hand between the bone and tendon of your left wrist. Now, count the beats for fifteen seconds. Multiply this number by four to get the beats per minute.

If your pulse is very high, it may be telling you of potential problems. Consult your health care provider to rule out problems. A chronically high pulse rate is often a precursor of hypertension.

Taken daily, this simple pulse test can forewarn you of oncoming illness.

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