Looking for ways to test your heart health at home? The following are some simple tests to check if your heart is healthy.
When it comes to checking your heart health, you don’t necessarily have to undergo a complex exam to see how it’s doing. In fact, there are some simple tests you can do at home or at the doctor’s office to evaluate your heart health.
For instance, you (or your doctor) can check your heart rate and measure your blood pressure. Another simple test you can do at your doctor’s is to get a blood test that measures your cholesterol levels.
Checking Your Heart Rate
To check your heart rate and rhythm, you’ll need to check your pulse, as it helps determine the strength of your blood flow and blood pressure. By feeling your pulse, you can tell how fast your heart is beating and whether it’s regular or not.
To measure it, make sure you have a watch with a second hand. Start by placing your index and middle finger on the inner wrist of your other arm (just below the base of the thumb). As you feel a tap or pulse against your fingers, count how many you feel in 10 seconds. Finally, multiply that by six to find out your heart rate for one minute.
Checking Your Blood Pressure
Blood pressure refers to the force (or pressure) of your blood against your arterial walls as your heart pumps it throughout your body. Monitors measure your systolic blood pressure (pressure in your arteries when your heart squeezes) and diastolic blood pressure (pressure in your blood vessels when your heart is relaxed).
High blood pressure (or hypertension) is when you have a reading of 130/80, with systolic being the top number and diastolic being the bottom number. If you have untreated hypertension, it can damage your artery walls, leading to poor circulation, heart disease, and a heart attack. While one reading doesn’t qualify as hypertension, multiple and consistent high blood pressure readings can signify that you have the condition.
Checking Your Cholesterol
Even though you can’t do this test on your own, getting a lipid panel test is pretty simple and straightforward. At your doctor’s office, you will undergo a blood test that checks your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Afterward, your doctor will analyze the results and work with you if you need treatment.
Managing Your Heart Health
Checking your heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol are simple ways to check the status of your heart health. If your numbers need work, then your doctor will likely recommend lifestyle changes and medication in certain cases.
Some common changes you can make include eating balanced meals with plenty of vegetables and fruits and exercising on a regular basis. In addition, you can take supplements like Circulation Boost for extra help.
Its ingredients promote healthy circulation, energy levels, nutrient and oxygen delivery, and more. Give your heart health the support it deserves by checking on it regularly and taking Circulation Boost.