How can I measure my own resting heart rate?

In one line

The rule

Resting heart rate is the number of times your heart beats in one minute when you are at rest.

Let's understand it simply

Imagine your heart is like a water pump. Even when you are sitting quietly, it keeps pumping blood to every part of your body. The number of times it pumps (beats) in one minute when you are calm is called your resting heart rate. It tells you how hard your heart is working when you are not doing any activity.

How it works

1. Sit quietly for at least 5 minutes. Do not talk or move much.
2. Find your pulse (heartbeat) on your wrist or neck using your index and middle fingers.
3. Press gently until you feel the regular beating.
4. Use a watch or phone timer. Count the number of beats you feel in 60 seconds (1 minute).
5. The number you get is your resting heart rate, in beats per minute (bpm).

Where you see it in real life

• At the doctor’s clinic → Nurse checks your pulse to see if your heart is healthy.
• During sports practice → Coaches check players’ heart rates before and after exercise.
• At home → People with heart problems check their resting heart rate daily.
• In yoga or meditation → Teachers may ask you to check your pulse before and after relaxation.

Why it matters

• A normal resting heart rate shows your heart is working well.
• If your rate is too high or too low, it can signal a health problem.
• Athletes often have a lower resting heart rate, showing a strong heart.
• Doctors use this number to track your heart health over time.

Common mistakes

• Using your thumb to feel the pulse (it has its own pulse, which can confuse you).
• Counting for only 10 or 15 seconds and forgetting to multiply to get the full minute rate.
• Measuring right after running or climbing stairs (not truly 'resting').

Remember it

Count your pulse for one full minute while sitting calm—this is your resting heart rate.