3 Things You Should Know About Normal Heart Function
Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body. It plays a crucial role, pumping blood around your body and sending oxygen and nutrients as it goes. That’s why maintaining a normal heart function is so important to your health.
Is your heart healthy? There are a few different ways you can tell whether or not this is the case.
This guide is going to take you through some signs of a healthy heart function and what to do if you suspect yours is less than perfect. Read on for everything you need to know now.
1. All About a Regular Heartbeat
How can you tell if you’ve got a regular or irregular heartbeat? While heart rates vary from person to person, there are some characteristics of a healthy heartbeat.
A normal resting heart rate will usually be somewhere between 60 and 100 beats per minute. To find out your heart rate, press your wrist or the side of your neck with your fingers. Count the beats you feel for 10 seconds and multiply this number by six to get your heart rate per minute.
A healthy heartbeat should also feel steady and constant. If it’s fluttering or arhythmic, you might want to get it checked out. This is how many people are diagnosed with A-fib.
2. Optimal Blood Pressure
Blood pressure refers to the level of pressure within the arteries. For blood to travel throughout your body at the right speed, it has to be under the right amount of pressure. This is why maintaining healthy blood pressure is so important.
A good range for blood pressure to sit within would be systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80. There are things you can do to help your blood pressure levels. Equally, there are things that can damage them.
Things that help include exercise, eating whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and avoiding stress. Things that can be harmful are being overweight, eating too much sodium, and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
3. Healthy Arteries
You have three types of blood vessels in your heart. These are your arteries, your veins, and your capillaries. All of these need to be healthy to facilitate normal heart function.
One of the threats facing healthy arteries is the build-up of fat deposits. When too much fat builds up in the arteries, they become clogged and can’t perform their usual function. This can eventually lead to a heart attack.
Eating things such as fried and processed packaged foods; cakes, pies, pastries; cookies and biscuits can all lead to your arteries becoming clogged. It’s best to avoid these foods as much as possible.
Maintaining Normal Heart Function
Leading a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to maintain normal heart function. This means eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and trying to be as zen as possible.
If you’re worried about your heart function, it’s best to speak to a medical professional. If you’re looking for more fun facts and health tips, however, you can find plenty on the rest of our site.