What is pulse rate? In medical terms, it is the arterial palpation of the heartbeat. It is normally measured by observing the beatings of the arteries near the neck, the elbow, the ankle joint, and the knee. The most common method of observing the pulse rate is by measuring it at the radial artery (in the wrist) or by directly measuring the heartbeat using a stethoscope. The pulse rate normally ranges from 60 – 100 BPM. However, during strenuous exercise, it can rise up to 150-200 BPM. It slowly comes down to the normal range over a span of a few minutes. If the pulse rate doesn’t come down over a period of time it could be an indication of tachycardia.
If you have ever noticed your pulse rate instantly rising from your normal 80 BPM to a staggering 153 BPM in a span of a few minutes, first you should of course consider whether this could simply be due to some strenuous physical activity. If not, it’s your body blinking a red light and informing you of some disorder. The smartest thing you can do at that moment is to pay heed to what your body is saying and figure out what could be wrong. Apart from physical exertion, anxiety disorder is the most commonly experienced reason for a high pulse rate. Relaxation, on the other hand, is the best remedy for high pulse rate. If anxiety seems to be your problem, try yoga and meditation.
To prevent an abnormally high pulse rate in the first place, you have to take adequate precautions. An adequate amount of sleep is a must. A minimum of 8 hrs of sleep keeps the body and mind well rested. A variety of vegetable juices, particularly carrot and spinach juices, consumed every day, proves to be very beneficial. So does a glass of lemon juice. Try and consume foods that are rich in magnesium and potassium in your daily diet. Good sources of magnesium are bananas, apricots, nuts (almonds and cashews), legumes and peas.
Potassium-rich foods include apricots, sultanas, tomatoes, and figs. The best source of both potassium and magnesium is soya flour. You should also avoid sweets and oily food. Exercise regularly to keep your body toned.
If you ever experience a rapid rise in your pulse rate even when you are resting, as a temporary cure you can try the vagal maneuver. One way to do this is to take a deep breath and bear down as if taking a bowel movement. This switches your body to the parasympathetic network of nerves by stimulating the vagal nerves. You can also try filling your basin with icy cold water and “diving” into it by plunging your face into it. This helps bring the pulse rate down in sea mammals and in humans too. However, most importantly, you should exercise regularly, eat healthy and rest your body and mind well, and your pulse rate will be in the normal range.
answered by G M