No, not channeling “Roxette” with this blog title (and probably completely aging myself with that comment too…) We spend a lot of time talking about eating healthy, staying active, and showcasing apps that can help you with these endeavors. But how do you know, REALLY know, that all the efforts you’re putting in are paying off? It could be as easy as listening to your heart.

Your Resting Heart Rate (RHR) is the heartbeat you have when you first wake up in the morning and haven’t gotten out of bed yet. Studies are discovering that this heart rate is an indicator of your basic fitness level and can even be a strong predictor of overall cardiovascular health.

Checking your RHR is super simple too. It’s recommended to take this reading three consecutive mornings in a row. Count the number of beats for 10 seconds, and then multiply the number by 6 to get your heart rate per minute. At the end of three days, add your three numbers, divide by 3 and that should be a good indication of your accurate RHR.

Normal adult range for RHR is 60-80 beats per minute Athletes range for RHR is 35-50 beats per minute And yes, there’s an app for that! Every phone platform has a heart rate monitor. For Android devices, the S Health app works great. Apple carries an app such as Digifit, for Windows phone users there’s Adidas miCoach, and for Blackberry (believe it or not, there’s some of us die-hard users still out there!) there’s Instant Heart Rate. If you’re one of the many who charge their cell phone overnight on a nightstand next to your bed, waking up and taking your heart rate couldn’t be easier. Give it a try; you may surprise yourself!    

 

Image courtesy of Suat Eman/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Source Url: http://gobelmont.ca/appy-friday-listen-to-your-heart/