The heartbeat signal: what your heart rate can reveal about health and longevity
A recent review highlights that heart rate reflects cardiovascular health, metabolic rate, and autonomic nervous system activity. Resting heart rate is linked to lifespan, with lower rates (often seen in fit individuals) associated with longer survival, though extremes can signal issues in non-athletes. Maximum heart rate declines with age and varies by person, so individualized formulas or field tests are better than generic rules for setting training zones. Heart rate reserve (max minus resting) helps tailor workouts, while heart rate variability remains controversial and should not be the sole training guide. For measurements, use reliable monitors (chest straps over many wearables) and, above all, listen to how you feel and log your training to decide when to train.
