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What is a normal pulse rate?
What is a normal heart rate?
What is the difference between a pulse and a heart rate?
Mar 28, 2024 · Learn what a resting heart rate is, why it matters and how to measure it. Find out the normal heart rate range by age and the factors that affect it.
Learn what a normal pulse rate is, how it can vary depending on age, health and activity, and what to do if it changes. Find out how to check your pulse and heart rhythm, and when to see your GP.
- Overview
- What is a normal resting heart rate?
- What is a good heart rate by age?
- Target heart rates during exercise
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Maintaining a normal heart rate
- Frequently asked questions
- Takeaway
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The heart rate measures the number of times per minute that the heart contracts or beats. For most adults, a target resting heart rate is between 60–100 beats per minute.
A healthy heart supplies the body with just the right amount of blood at the right rate for whatever the body is doing at that time. For example, being frightened or surprised automatically releases adrenaline, a hormone, to make the heart rate faster. This prepares the body to use more oxygen and energy to escape or confront potential danger.
A resting heart rate refers to the number of times the heart beats per minute when at rest. However, age, activity levels, physical fitness, and other factors can affect a person’s resting heart rate.
While a normal heart rate does not guarantee that a person is free of health problems, it is a useful benchmark for identifying a range of health issues.
The heart rate is the number of times the heart beats in the space of a minute.
The pulse is often confused with the heart rate but refers instead to how many times per minute the arteries expand and contract in response to the pumping action of the heart. The pulse rate is exactly equal to the heartbeat, as the contractions of the heart cause the increases in blood pressure in the arteries that lead to a noticeable pulse.
Taking the pulse is, therefore, a direct measure of heart rate.
It is important to identify whether a person’s heart rate sits within the normal range. If disease or injury weakens the heart, the organs will not receive enough blood to function normally.
The heart rate gets progressively slower as a person moves through childhood toward adolescence. The normal resting heart rate for adults over the age of 10 years, including older adults, is between 60–100 beats per minute (bpm).
Highly trained athletes may have a resting heart rate below 60 bpm, sometimes reaching 40 bpm.
The following is a table of normal resting heart rates at different ages:
The resting heart rate can vary within this normal range. It will increase in response to a variety of changes, including exercise, body temperature, emotional triggers, and body position, such as for a short while after standing up quickly.
A person’s heart rate increases during exercise, as the heart beats more to pump more blood and oxygen throughout the body. However, when training for fitness, it is important not to put too much strain on the heart.
While the heart rate increases as a result of physical activity, an overall decrease in target heart rate is possible over time. This is because exercise strengthens the heart muscle. Due to this, the heart can pump a great volume of blood with each heartbeat, meaning it can beat less to get the necessary nutrients and oxygen to different parts of the body, making it more efficient.
Cardiovascular training aims to reduce the target heart rate. The ideal target heart rate reduces with age. It is also worth noting the maximum heart rate. This demonstrates the full capability of the heart, and it is normally reached through high-intensity exercise.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that the maximum heart rate during exercise should be roughly equal to 220 bpm minus the age of the person. For example, for a 50-year-old person, a maximum heart rate calculation would be 220 – 50 years = 170 bpm.
As the body of each individual will react to exercise differently, the target heart rate is presented as a range known as the target heart rate zone.
The following table shows the appropriate target heart rate zone for a range of ages. A person’s heart rate should fall within this range when exercising at 50–85% intensity, also known as exertion.
The speed of the heart is not the only factor to bear in mind when considering its health. The rhythm of the heartbeat is important too. The heart should beat with a steady rhythm, and there should be a regular gap between beats.
The muscle has an electrical system that tells it when to beat and push blood around the body. A faulty electrical system can lead to an abnormal heart rhythm, known as arrhythmia.
It is normal for the heart rate to vary throughout the day in response to exercise, anxiety, excitement, and fear. However, a person should not normally be aware of their resting heartbeat.
People concerned about palpitations or ectopic beats should speak to your doctor who will be able to carry out an electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess the heart rate and the rhythm.
There are many different types of abnormal heart rhythm. The type depends on where in the heart the abnormal rhythm starts, and whether it causes the heart to beat too fast or too slow.
If a person feels that their heart is beating out of rhythm, too fast, or too slow, it is advisable to contact a doctor about these symptoms. A person may also feel the sensation of having missed or “skipped” a beat, or it may feel like there has been an extra beat.
A healthy heartbeat is crucial for protecting cardiac health.
While exercise is important for promoting a low and healthy heart rate, there are several other steps a person can take to protect their heart health, including:
•Reducing stress: Stress can contribute to an increased heart rate and blood pressure. Ways to keep stress at bay include deep breathing, yoga, mindfulness training, and meditation.
•Avoiding tobacco: Smoking leads to a higher heart rate, and quitting can reduce it to a normal level.
What’s an unhealthy heart rate?
The typical resting heart rate for adults is between 60–100 beats per minute (bpm). Some athletes and older individuals have slightly lower heart rates. An “unhealthy” heart rate is one that is too fast or too slow. A person may also have an arrhythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat.
Is 120 heart rate normal?
While 120 bpm is slightly above the typical 60–100 bpm range, it may be healthy for some people. If a person is concerned that their heart rate is too high, they should contact a doctor.
Heart rate describes the number of times the heart beats in the space of a minute. For most adults, the target range for a resting heart rate is 60–100 bpm.
To help maintain a healthy heart rate and to protect the heart, it is advisable for a person to get regular exercise, have a healthy dietary plan, manage stress, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid or quit smoking.
Learn what a normal resting heart rate is and how it varies by age, activity level, and fitness. Find out how to measure your heart rate and target heart rate zone for exercise.
- Markus Macgill
Oct 6, 2023 · A normal adult heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm). But that’s not to say that a heart rate above or below those thresholds is necessarily something to worry about. “There’s a range of ‘normal’ when it comes to healthy heart rates,” explains cardiologist Tamanna Singh, MD.
Oct 8, 2022 · A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Generally, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness. For example, a well-trained athlete might have a normal resting heart rate closer to 40 beats per minute.
Jun 13, 2023 · Learn how to measure your resting and maximum heart rate, and what they mean for your health and fitness. Find out how stress, medication, age, and exercise affect your heart rate and aerobic capacity.
May 3, 2024 · In adults, any number between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm) is considered a good resting heart rate. Babies and young children have higher resting heart rates than older kids, teens, and adults. Resting heart rate is your heart rate while at rest. It serves as an indication of your general fitness.
