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Published on: Apr 03, 2022
2 minute read
By: Second Medic Expert

What Your Heart Rate Is Telling You?

Your heart rate can tell you a lot about your current state of health. A normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute, but this can vary depending on your age, fitness level, and other factors. If your heart rate is outside of this range, it could be an indication that something is wrong. For example, if you have a very low heart rate (bradycardia), it could be caused by an underlying medical condition such as heart disease or hypothyroidism. On the other hand, if you have a high heart rate (tachycardia), it could be due to stress, anxiety, or overexertion.

An increased or faster heartbeat can be caused by exercise, anxiety, stress, fever, anemia, low blood pressure, low blood sugar levels, or using tobacco products. A decreased or slower heartbeat can be caused by dehydration, shock, heart blockage, or a weakened cardiovascular system. Checking your pulse rate can give you valuable information about your health and well-being. Certain medical conditions can cause an abnormal heart rate. For example, atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a condition that causes the heart to beat in an irregular rate.

Your heart rate is telling you how hard your heart is working. The harder your heart works, the faster it will beat. If you're just relaxing, your heart rate will be lower than if you're running a marathon. Your heart rate can also give you information about your overall fitness level. A higher resting heart rate usually means that you're not in as good of shape as someone with a lower resting heart rate. Heart rate can also be affected by other things like medications, stress, and anxiety. So if you think something might be affecting your heart rate, it's always best to talk to a doctor to get their opinion.

You can check your own resting heart rate by feeling for your pulse on your wrist or neck for 15 seconds and then multiplying that number by 4. Variations in resting heart rate are normal, but if you notice a consistently high or low resting heart rate, it could be an indication of an underlying health condition and you should consult with a doctor.

Your heart rate is telling you a lot about your current level of physical fitness. A higher heart rate means that your body is working harder to pump blood around, and this can be an indication that you need to increase your level of fitness. A lower heart rate, on the other hand, means that your body is more efficient at pumping blood and can be a sign of good cardiovascular health. So, if you're wondering what your heart rate is telling you, it's giving you a pretty good idea of how fit (or not fit) you currently are! Your heart rate tells you a lot about your physical and emotional state. It can indicate whether you're stressed, nervous, or excited, and it can also give you clues about your overall fitness level. If your heart rate is below 60 bpm, it's called bradycardia, and if it's above 100 bpm, it's called tachycardia

We can use our heart rate as a tool to better understand our bodies and how we're feeling. For example, if you've just exerted yourself physically, your heart rate will likely increase. This is because your body needs more oxygen to fuel your muscles. There's a lot that your heart rate can tell you about your general health and well-being. For one, it can be a good indicator of how physically fit you are. A higher resting heart rate usually means that you're not in great shape, while a lower resting heart rate usually indicates that you're in good physical condition. Secondly, your heart rate can also give you some insight into how stressed or anxious you might be feeling. A rapid heart rate is often a sign of stress or anxiety, while a slow heart rate can indicate relaxation.

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Lower Premiums for Health Score Achievers: How Preventive Wellness Rewards Healthy Choices

Healthcare costs are rising steadily across India, driven largely by lifestyle-related diseases and late-stage diagnosis. In response, organisations and insurers are shifting focus from reactive treatment to prevention. One of the most effective approaches emerging from this shift is offering lower premiums for health score achievers.

This model aligns personal health responsibility with financial incentives, creating a win–win situation for individuals, employers and insurers.

What Is a Health Score?

A health score is a composite indicator that reflects an individual’s overall health status.

It typically considers:

preventive health checkup results
lifestyle habits such as physical activity and sleep
key biomarkers like blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure
body composition indicators

The focus is on risk reduction, not perfection.

Why Health Score–Based Premiums Are Gaining Importance

According to NITI Aayog and EY-FICCI reports, preventive healthcare can reduce long-term medical costs by up to 30–40 percent.

Health score–linked premiums:

reward proactive behaviour
reduce claim frequency
encourage early detection

This shifts healthcare from illness management to health preservation.

The Preventive Healthcare Gap in India

NFHS-5 and ICMR data show:

many chronic diseases remain undiagnosed until advanced stages
preventive screenings are underutilised
lifestyle risks are increasing among working adults

Health score incentives help close this gap.

How Lower Premiums Motivate Behaviour Change

Financial Incentives Drive Consistency

When healthy habits are rewarded financially, individuals are more likely to:

attend regular screenings
improve diet and activity
monitor health metrics

Behaviour change becomes sustainable.

Focus on Improvement, Not Punishment

Modern health score models emphasise:

gradual improvement
personalised targets
achievable milestones

This avoids discouragement and promotes inclusion.

Benefits for Individuals

Reduced Insurance Costs

Lower premiums directly reduce out-of-pocket insurance expenses.

Better Health Awareness

Tracking health scores increases understanding of:

personal risk factors
lifestyle impact
preventive actions

Knowledge leads to better choices.

Early Disease Detection

Regular monitoring identifies:

prediabetes
early hypertension
lipid abnormalities

Early intervention prevents complications.

Benefits for Employers

Lower Healthcare Claims

Preventive health programs reduce:

hospitalisations
long-term treatment costs

This improves corporate insurance sustainability.

Improved Productivity

Healthier employees experience:

fewer sick days
better energy levels
improved focus

Wellbeing translates to performance.

Stronger Wellness Culture

Reward-based programs signal genuine employer commitment to health.

Benefits for Insurers

Health score–based premiums help insurers:

manage risk more accurately
reduce high-cost claims
promote preventive engagement

This supports long-term viability of insurance models.

Role of Preventive Health Checkups

Preventive screenings form the backbone of health scoring.

They help track:

metabolic health
cardiovascular risk
nutritional deficiencies

NITI Aayog identifies screening as the most cost-effective health intervention.

Addressing Privacy and Fairness Concerns

Responsible programs ensure:

data confidentiality
voluntary participation
non-discriminatory design

Transparency builds trust and engagement.

Making Health Scores Inclusive

Inclusive programs:

adjust for age and baseline health
reward progress
offer support for high-risk individuals

Equity is essential for success.

Integration with Digital Health Platforms

Digital tools enable:

real-time health tracking
personalised insights
long-term trend monitoring

This improves engagement and accuracy.

Long-Term Impact on Public Health

Widespread adoption of health score incentives can:

reduce lifestyle disease burden
shift focus to prevention
improve population health outcomes

WHO supports incentive-based preventive health strategies globally.

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Common challenges include:

low initial engagement
lack of awareness
resistance to change

Solutions involve education, simplicity and continuous support.

Why Lower Premiums Are More Effective Than Penalties

Positive reinforcement:

motivates sustained behaviour change
reduces anxiety
builds trust

Punitive models often discourage participation.

Future of Health Score–Linked Premiums in India

As digital health infrastructure expands, health score–based models are expected to:

become more personalised
integrate AI-driven insights
support nationwide preventive strategies

This marks a shift toward value-based healthcare.

Conclusion

Lower premiums for health score achievers represent a powerful shift toward preventive, value-driven healthcare. By rewarding healthy behaviours, early screening and consistent wellness practices, these programs benefit individuals, employers and insurers alike. Financial incentives aligned with health outcomes encourage long-term behaviour change, reduce disease burden and create a sustainable healthcare ecosystem. In a country facing rising lifestyle diseases, health score–linked premiums are not just an incentive—they are a strategic investment in healthier futures.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Preventive Healthcare and Incentive Models
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Lifestyle Disease and Prevention
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health Indicators
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Insurance Reform Reports
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Healthcare Cost Studies

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