The Basics: Daytime Heart Rate
Monitoring your daytime heart rate can provide valuable insights into your cardiovascular health and the effectiveness of your exercise routine.
What is daytime heart rate?
Daytime Heart Rate is exactly what it sounds like—it's the average number of times your heart beats per minute over a specific period of time. Bevel measures your heart rate regularly throughout the day, excluding sleep and workouts, to generate your daily daytime heart rate. It is important to note that your daytime heart rate is different from your resting heart rate (RHR). To learn more about your RHR read our article, The Basics: Resting Heart Rate.
How the Apple Watch measures your heart rate
Understanding how your Apple Watch measures your heart rate can boost your confidence in its accuracy and reliability, making it a valuable tool for tracking your fitness and overall well-being. Your Apple Watch employs advanced technology to accurately measure your heart rate. Here's a brief look at how it works:
- Optical Heart Rate Sensor: Located on the underside of your Apple Watch, the optical heart rate sensor consists of LED lights and photodiodes. The LED lights shine onto your skin, and the photodiodes detect the amount of blood flow by measuring the changes in light absorption.
- Green and Infrared Light: The sensor primarily uses green and infrared light. Green light is ideal for detecting blood volume changes, while infrared light helps filter out ambient light and improve accuracy.
- Data Processing: The sensor captures data continuously throughout the day and night, even when you're not actively checking your heart rate. It processes this information using algorithms designed to filter out external factors, providing you with precise heart rate measurements.
Interpreting daytime heart rate
Cardiovascular Fitness: Through monitoring long-term trends in daytime heart rate data, you can keep track of improved cardiovascular fitness. As your heart becomes stronger and more efficient, it can pump blood more effectively, reducing the need for a rapid heart rate to deliver oxygen to your muscles.
Stress Management: Daily heart rate monitoring can also be a tool for managing stress. Elevated heart rates on days when you didn’t get as much exercise can indicate stress or anxiety. By recognizing these patterns, you can take proactive steps to address stressors in your life.
Listen to Your Body: While daytime heart rate is a valuable metric, don't forget to pay attention to how you feel. This can be just as important as the numbers on your monitor.
Remember that while this information is valuable, it's just one piece of the puzzle. Combining daytime heart rate data with other metrics can help you achieve your fitness goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
