A Healthy Heartbeat

By Dr. Casey Adams

The rhythm of the heartbeat can vary greatly between people. Research has indicated the average resting pulse for an American male is 70 beats per minute (or 4200 hertz), while the average American woman is 75-80 beats per minute (or 4500-4800 Hz). A resting pulse of 60-70 is considered healthy. However, healthy people who exercise regularly often register resting pulses of 50-60. One study showed that only three months of exercise reduced the heart rates of formerly sedentary middle-aged men (45-55 years old) from an average of 72 BPM to 55 BPM. Meanwhile highly conditioned athletes can have resting pulses far lower than these can. In comparison, competitive distance runners have average resting pulses of 45 BPM while some marathon runners have rates as low as the mid-30s.

The heart rate can rise significantly during stress. In a study of fourth-grade teachers, their heart rates would rise from 75 BPM to 110 BPM when they rose from their desks to speak to the children.

The connection between pain, fear, stress and the heart has been made repeatedly through study and observation. Most of us have heard of stories of deaths by heart attack during a fearful moment. This is illustrated by firefighter death statistics. One might think the vast majority of firefighter deaths come from being burned in fires. The statistics, however, consistently show that significant numbers die from cardiovascular events. The Federal Emergency Management Agency released a 2005 report on 2004 deaths among firefighters, for example. Of 107 firefighter deaths nationwide in 2004, 49 resulted from either stroke or heart attack. Most of us know that fear can lead to heart attack. Most, however, do not realize that anger also leads to many heart attacks. About 36,000 people experience heart attacks each year in the United States as a result of being angry.

Television can also be a source of dramatic heart rate rise. This is because television programs can be stressful. Dramas and sporting events can be especially stressful on television. Studies have shown that the chance of having a heart attack is significantly higher while watching a sporting event on television.

Studies have also confirmed that the dramatic rise in heart rate during anxious moments experienced by sedentary people is significantly lower in those who exercise regularly, thereby reducing the risk of heart attack among those who exercise regularly.

About the Author: Dr. Casey Adams holds a Ph.D. in Natural Health Sciences, a Doctor of Sciences in Integrative Health, a degree in Naturopathy, and is board certified as an Alternative Medical Practitioner and practices at the Wellness and Rehabilitation Center in Watsonville, CA. He can be reached at cadams@realnaturalhealth.com, and http://www.realnaturalhealth.com.

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