The speed of metabolism can be expressed in terms of basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is a generalized formula of (pulse rate + pulse pressure) – 111, and is able to approximate a person’s basal metabolic level. Basal metabolic rate is the rate of energy metabolism when the body is in a quiet and awake state, and is not affected by factors such as ambient temperature, muscular activity, stress, food, etc. The general formula for basal metabolic rate is (pulse rate + pulse pressure) – 111. The generalized formula for basal metabolic rate is (pulse rate + pulse pressure) – 111. In addition to this, formulas such as 0.75*(pulse rate + pulse pressure difference * 0.74) – 72 or 1.28*(pulse rate + pulse pressure difference) – 116 can also be used to calculate basal metabolic rate. The basal metabolic rate can be affected by factors such as body surface area, age, gender, nutritional and functional status, thyroid function, etc. The basal metabolic rate can also be calculated by using the same formula. For example, the larger the body surface area the higher the basal metabolic rate, men have a higher basal metabolic rate than women, and patients with hyperthyroidism have a higher basal metabolic rate than normal.