A heart that beats fewer times per minute is usually a more efficient heart. To get your resting rate:
1) Sit in a comfortable position and use your index and middle fingers to feel for your radial artery, just below your opposite wrist, at the base of your thumb.
2) Count how many beats you feel in 60 seconds.
3) Anything between 60 and 100 beats is considered normal, but lower in the range is usually desirable.
The great news? Simply adding 30 minutes of brisk walking to your daily routine could lower your resting rate — and add years to your life!
(published Jan. 14, 2014)
