What should be done before checking your resting heart rate?

To accurately assess resting heart rate, it is essential to be in a calm and stable state. Sitting quietly for at least 5 minutes allows the body to reach a state of rest where the heart rate is not influenced by recent activity or stress. This period helps to normalize the heart rate after any physical exertion or emotional stimulation, providing a more reliable measurement of the heart’s baseline rate.

Engaging in light exercise prior to measurement could elevate the heart rate, leading to inaccurate results. Drinking water does not typically affect heart rate significantly, but it would not provide the necessary calmness needed for a resting measurement. Rapidly standing up can cause a temporary spike or drop in heart rate due to changes in blood flow and pressure, which would also distort the accuracy of the resting measurement. Thus, ensuring a few minutes of quiet sitting is the best practice for establishing a true resting heart rate.