The Vital Role of Resting Heart Rate and Laughter in Cardiovascular Health
According to expert cardiologists and academic researchers, resting heart rate (RHR) has become a simple, yet vitally important, biomarker in determining your overall health and risk of disease. At the same time, regular laughter has been shown to reduce stress, improve circulation and contribute to better heart health.
What Is Resting Heart Rate?
Your resting heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute while you're at complete rest. For most adults, a normal RHR ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm), although very fit individuals, such as athletes, may have a lower rate.
A lower resting heart rate generally indicates more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness. On the other hand, a consistently high RHR can signal that your heart is working harder than it should, even at rest – which over time may increase your risk of heart problems.
How to Check Your Resting Heart Rate
To measure your resting heart rate:
- Sit or lie down and relax for at least five minutes.
- Place your index and middle fingers on the inside of your wrist or the side of your neck.
- Count the number of beats for 60 seconds, or count for 30 seconds and double the number.
You can also use smartwatches or fitness trackers to monitor your RHR automatically over time.
Underlying Health Issues and Causes of High RHR
A persistently high resting heart rate could be a sign of issues such as high blood pressure, anaemia, thyroid disorders or heart disease. Common contributors to elevated RHR include:
- Stress or anxiety
- Lack of physical activity
- Caffeine, nicotine or alcohol
- Fever, illness or dehydration
- Certain medications
A higher RHR has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and even early mortality. That’s why it’s important to understand your baseline and monitor for changes.
Enter Laughter: A Natural Heart Booster
While lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise and sleep play a huge role in heart health, one often-overlooked tool is laughter. Genuine laughter can:
- Reduce stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline.
- Boost feel-good hormones, such as endorphins and dopamine.
- Improve circulation and oxygen intake, similar to light exercise.
- Lower blood pressure and heart rate over time.
Laughter not only helps lower RHR indirectly by reducing stress, but it also enhances social connection and emotional wellbeing - both of which are closely linked to cardiovascular health.
How to Add More Laughter to Your Day
Incorporating more laughter into your life doesn’t require being a comedian! Try:
- Watching a funny film or TV series.
- Spending time with people who lift your spirits.
- Listening to comedy podcasts.
- Taking part in a laughter yoga class.
- Finding humour in everyday situations.
When to See a Doctor
If your resting heart rate is consistently over 100 bpm (tachycardia) or unusually low (below 60 bpm without being highly active), consult your GP. Also seek medical attention if you experience chest pain, dizziness, fainting or breathlessness.
And finally, a little something to get your heart laughing:
Why did the cardiologist go to art school?
Because he wanted to learn how to draw blood! :-)
