When is the best time to measure your heart rate?
A single reading tells you little. The direction over a week tells you a lot — but only if the readings are taken the same way.
A good routine
- Measure on waking, before getting up, coffee or your phone's notifications.
- Lie or sit still for a minute first.
- Use the same finger and position each day.
- Set a reminder in the app so the time stays consistent.
What moves your numbers
- Caffeine and nicotine raise your pulse.
- Alcohol, a poor night and illness raise pulse and lower variability.
- A heavy meal or a hot room raises your pulse for a while.
- Exercise raises it for some time afterwards.
FAQ
- Can I measure more than once a day?
- Yes. Just keep your morning reading as the one you compare, since readings at other times reflect what you've been doing.
Your pulse in 45 seconds
Heart Rate & Health - Novaz reads your heart rate from your iPhone camera, with HRV, stress, energy and a Heart Score. No account — your data stays on your phone. A wellness app, not a medical device.
Download on the App StoreRelated guides
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- Heart rate reading failed? How to get a clean one
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- Measuring your heart rate on iPad
- What is PPG? How a camera reads your pulse