What’s Your Heart Say?

Anahad O’Connor of the New York Times has uncovered a couple of interesting studies that seem to indicate that medical professionals will soon need to reevaluate the widely accepted, “resting heart rate.”

The Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health published a study that conclusively linked resting heart rate “with the risk of death from [ischaemic heart disease], and among women, the results suggest that by engaging in [physical activity], the risk associated with a high [resting heart rate] may be substantially reduced.” Ischaemic heart disease is disease that is distinctly characterized by a reduced blood supply to the heart.

Researchers have found that a resting pulse at the upper end of “normal” [60-100 beat per minute] may indicate a higher risk of stroke and heart disease. Instead of drawing the line at 100 beats per minute, some say, anything above 90 — and perhaps even 80 — may be considered cause for concern.

Keep yourself healthy. Maintain an appropriate fitness regimen to keep all aspects of your body in the best condition.