Honey and almonds may help cut heart disease. Canadian researchers found almonds lowered cholersterol by up to 9.4 per cent in patients with high levels, and University of Illinois scientists found four tablespoons of honey daily in a glass of water increased antioxidants in blood.

You can get a rough idea of how high your blood pressure is, and how well your heart is working by measuring your pulse.

Take your pulse while you are resting. Find a watch or clock, or a timer, that shows seconds. Place the fingertips of your right hand on the underside of your wrist at the artery. The strongest beat can be felt on the area of your wrist near your thumb, just below your wrist bone. Do not use the thumb because it has a pulse of its own. Looking at your watch, count the number of beats in 15 seconds. Multiply by four to get the number of beats per minute. If, for instance, your heart beats 18 times in 15 seconds when you are sitting, your resting heart rate or pulse is 72.

Your target heart rate, which shows what your heart can withstand, decreases with age. To calculate your heart rate, subtract your age from 220. This is your maximum heart rate. Then multiply this number by 0.6. So, if you are 55 years of age, your maximum heart rate is 165 beats per minute and your target heart rate is 99.



In this example, if you are aiming to take regular exercise, you should aim for anywhere between 165 (your maximum heart rate) and 99 (your target heart rate). After three to five mintues’ exercise, check your pulse.



If it is greater than your target heart rate, ease up. If you are in poor condition, set a goal and gradually work towards your target heart rate. If your resting heart rate is more than 100, you are in poor condition. Try walking for 30 minutes a day to improve your resting heart rate.