DEAR MAYO CLINIC: When I go for a walk or to the gym, people always seem to be checking their pulse, whether by hand or with a wearable. Why is heart rate so important?
ANSWER: Your heart rate, or pulse, is the number of times your heart beats per minute. Your resting heart rate is when the heart is pumping the lowest amount of blood you need when not exercising. If you’re sitting, lying down, calm, relaxed and not sick, your heart rate is typically between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
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