How to Determine Maximum Heart Rate With a Heart Rate Monitor

A routine heart rate check-up done with the use of an updated heart rate monitor helps in monitoring the wellness and condition of the heart. Heart rate monitors serve as measurement units that can give an idea of how strong the heart muscles are. The heart rate monitor measures the number of beats of the heart within a specific time span; therefore, the harder your heart is working, the higher your heart rate will be.

Instructions

• 1

  Measure your heart rate in the resting position by lying very still with the heart monitor attached to your chest. Watch the monitor or wristwatch screen to determine your heart rate. The most appropriate time to measure the resting heart rate is early morning.

• 2

  Measure your heart rate when exercising with maximum effort by recording the data from the heart rate monitor (or wristwatch screen) as you are exercising. Make sure you are at or near your maximum possible athletic effort. Compare this heart rate reading with that of resting heart rate reading.

• 3

  Record your resting heart rates and your exercise heart rate for a period of five consecutive days. Add up the heart rate reading amounts while exercising and deduce the average value from it; this is your maximum heart rate. Comparing it with the resting heart will give you the exact idea of your cardiac status.