How is your heart reacting to exercise?

If you have heart problems, ask your doctor or nurse about an exercise program that is right for you. If you do exercise, there are several ways to measure how hard you are exercising.

Measuring your heart rate

One way to know how your heart is reacting to exercise is to check your heart rate. Your heart rate lets you know how fast your heart is beating. You may also need to check your heart rate if you take medicine to regulate your heart beat, or if you have a pacemaker -- checking your heart rate can let you know if your medicine and pacemaker are working properly. Check your heart rate by taking your radial pulse or your carotid pulse.

Taking your radial pulse

Take your radial pulse on either wrist.
With your palm up, use the tips of your fingers of your other hand.
Feel the pulse on the thumbside of your wrist.
Press gently. Use enough pressure to feel your heart beat, but don't press too hard, or you'll obstruct your blood flow.
Count how many times your heart beats in 10 seconds and multiply by six. You can use the second hand of your watch or a nearby clock.

Taking your carotid pulse

Take your carotid pulse on either side of your neck. Don't press on both sides at the same time -- you can get lightheaded.
Use the tips of your index and middle fingers.
Locate the area on one side of your neck, near your windpipe.
Press gently. Use enough pressure to feel your heart beat, but don't press too hard, or you'll obstruct your blood flow.
Count how many times your heart beats in 10 seconds and multiply by six. You can use the second hand of your watch or a nearby clock.

Heart rate chart

How to use the Borg Scale of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) means "how hard you are working." It is based on the total amount of exertion and physical fatigue you feel during an activity.

The amount of work the heart can tolerate will vary from person to person, depending on the specific heart condition. Generally, activities are safe if you can do them comfortably without having any warning symptoms.

Borg Scale of Perceived Exertion

Measuring your activity through "METS"

A MET, metabolic energy equivalent, is a unit of measurement (like a cup or an inch) that measures how much effort an activity requires from you. For example, lying down takes one MET; Sitting and lifting both arms, two METS; Walking on a flat surface, three METS; or Climbing stairs, six METS.

Factors that influence how much energy you're spending include:

how fast you're moving
your body weight
stress
humidity
extreme heat or cold
emotion
tension
pressure
competition
anxiety
the part of your body you are using
how recently you have eaten

If you have had a heart attack or surgery, your activities may be at the two to three MET level at the time of your hospital discharge. Follow your doctor's instructions about activities when you return home.

MET chart (pdf)