How Does Smoking Affect the Resting Pulse Rate?
Heart at Rest A person’s resting pulse rate is exactly what it sounds like, the beats per minute when someone is at rest. Check for a resting heart rate first thing in the morning after a good night’s sleep, but before rising. Place your index and middle fingers together on either your wrist or neck. Using the second hand of a clock, count the number of beats you feel for 15 seconds, then multiply by four. Typically, a resting heart rate is anywhere between 60 to 80 beats per minute, though it will rise as a person ages. If a person is physically fit, the resting heart rate can lower to 40 to 60 beats a minute. The lower the resting heart rate, the better shape the heart is in. Unfortunately, many factors can increase a person’s resting heart rate, such as poor diet or lack of exercise. Smoking is by far the hardest on the heart, increasing a person’s resting heart rate by at least two to three beats per minute. Smoking along with unhealthy eating habits and no exercise can easily lead
