Overlooked Health Measurement Could SAVE Your Life
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 26, 2023
You likely know how much you weigh. After all, if you forget, your doctor will surely remind you on your next visit.
You may even have a scale to keep track of it at home. And the same is true for your blood pressure and maybe even your blood sugar.
But few of us pay much attention to ANOTHER vital number. Or even know what a normal one would be.
And we should. After all, it could help you spot a developing health problem.
In some cases, it could even SAVE your life…
We should all start paying more attention to our heart rate.
I’ve had a few patients come in complaining of what they believed to be a racing heart.
One patient had purchased a watch that counted her heart rate. And another could feel his heart beating very quickly.
When the woman looked at her new watch, she became concerned when it went above 100 beats per minute.
Before she had the watch, she’d never noticed how fast her heart beat sometimes when she was moving around. But she didn’t need to worry.
For most folks, a heart rate BELOW 60 beats per minute or OVER 100 when they’re at rest is worrisome.
Elite athletes may have a much lower rate (but this is rare). And remember, if you’re taking certain medications, such as beta-blockers, your heart rate may be slower, too.
On the other hand, it’s NOT uncommon for the heart to beat at a rate of 120 or more times per minute whenever we’re moving around.
What my patient with the watch was noticing is very normal.
The man who felt that his heart was racing faced a different issue. His heart was actually skipping beats.
It’s a condition called atrial fibrillation (a-fib), an irregular heartbeat. A-fib typically feels like a flutter in the chest but can be perceived as a fast heart rate.
Now, to be clear, I don’t want you to start worrying about your heart rate. But it IS a good idea to start treating it like any other number you use to evaluate your health, such as blood pressure or weight.
If you take your blood pressure at home, most machines also provide heart rate. And the finger pulse-ox machines some of us picked up during the pandemic measure it, too. Either is an easy way to keep track of it.
Keep in mind that rates do vary from person to person. Plus, things like emotions, body size, body position, age, and even the temperature can also cause your rate to vary.
So, your best bet is to talk with your doctor about your target heart rate. And after that, look for consistency.
If your rate is running very high while at rest, discussing it with your doctor is a good idea.
And you should always get it checked out if you feel like your heart is beating quickly when you’re sitting still and not doing anything.
Keeping an eye on your heart rate is just one more way to help you detect developing hidden health issues BEFORE they can get out of hand.
P.S. Dodge heart palpitations with this POTENT, all-natural a-fib fix.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
11 Hacks to Beat the Winter Blues
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many of us find ourselves battling more than just the cold weather. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression that strikes during fall and winter, affects millions each year. While the exact causes aren’t fully understood, experts say that seasonal changes disrupt our body’s circadian...
Mailbag: Halt Hair Loss Naturally
“I take a lot of vitamins, but my hair is falling out by the handfuls. I am 85 years old, but don’t have any major health problems that I know of.” – Hair Today Gone Tomorrow Hi Hair Today, I understand your concern about hair loss. Few things make us feel older than our years, quite...
5 Fall Foods to Supercharge Your Immune System
It starts with a tickle in the back of your throat… Or a little sniffle or sneeze—and before you know it, you’re knocked down for the count. Cold and flu season has arrived. If you’ve managed to escape these sneaky little viruses so far, let’s try to keep it that way. Because, let’s be honest,...
Common Chemicals Could Be Sabotaging Your Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping? Many of us blame common causes like afternoon coffee or evening screen time. But what if the real culprit is something you’d never expect—lurking right in your home? New research points to troubling evidence about how everyday chemicals could sabotage your shut-eye… Scientists have uncovered an alarming link between common...
The Forgotten Berry Your Bones Are Craving
Strawberries and blueberries rank first and second as America’s favorite berries. And, of course, cranberries shoot to the top of the list around this time of year. But there’s another underrated berry we should be giving a second look. Especially if you’re a senior concerned about your bone health. Because new research reveals this unassuming...
Gut Hack Helps You Avoid the Flu
Flu season hasn’t ramped up… yet. According to the CDC’s FluView, we’re still hovering at around one percent of the population testing positive for influenza. That’s fantastic news… but it doesn’t mean it’s time to rest. In fact, NOW is the time to prepare, because this is the calm before this season’s storm. As the...
Ditch “Calendar Age” to Live Longer and BETTER
“Age is just a number.” If we’ve heard that phrase once, we’ve heard it a thousand times. So, it’s easy to dismiss the thought. But the truth is, how old you feel is more critical than the number of candles on your birthday cake. Let me explain… Imagine the following scenario… Two 65-year-olds walk into...
5 Reasons to Eat MORE Pumpkin This Fall
When you think of fall, what comes to mind? Colorful leaves? Cozy sweaters? How about pumpkins? Sure, you probably carved one for Halloween, and you may bake a couple cans of it into a pie for Thanksgiving. But what if I told you that this humble squash could ALSO be your secret weapon for staying...
Mailbag: Break Free from Cholesterol Lowering Statins
“What’s my alternative to a statin drug for cholesterol control? I’ve been suggested to take Red Yeast Rice a natural cholesterol control. Best way to keep my arteries clear of plaque?” – Skipping Statins Hi Skipping, I don’t need to tell you how vital cardiovascular health is. However, the medical establishment insists that the only path...
Weird Nightmare Trigger Has an Easy Fix
To all our veterans – we pause today to express our profound gratitude for your service and sacrifice. Your unwavering commitment to defending our nation’s values represents the very best of America. Nightmares happen during REM sleep, which usually occurs halfway through the night. They’re typically brief, but they can make it difficult to fall...