I had a followup appointment with a doctor this week. The nurse did the usual checking of the pulse, blood pressure and oxygen level. She also asked a series of questions. I explained to her that all of these answers will most likely be “no”, as she asked about prescription drugs, aches or pains, you know, the typical questions all patients get asked.
So, when she moved on to checking my pulse, she asked me is my resting heart rate usually this low? The number read 44, and she said numbers are typiically above 60, to which I responded that I have an athletic pulse. She understood what that meant. I imagine there’s a lot of nurses who wouldn’t get it as they go by the Standard American guidelines. My pulse and blood pressure are ideal. But someone who does not work out or has a poor diet, their pulse might be in the 70s and considered normal.