The heart rate is a measure of the number of times your heart contracts or beats in a minute. Most adults should have a target resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute. Adults typically have a resting pulse rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). Your rate may be greater or lower depending on what you're doing. However, it could be dangerous if a heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute is accompanied by chest discomfort or dyspnoea (shortness of breath).
The healthy heart carries out the function of supplying the body with just the adequate amount of blood at the desired rate for whatever the body is doing at that time. The proper amount of blood is delivered to the body at the appropriate rate by a healthy heart, depending on what the body is doing at the moment. For instance, the hormone adrenaline is automatically released when someone is frightened or surprised, which causes their heart rate to increase. This triggers the body to expend more oxygen and energy in order to flee from or face possible danger. A normal heart rate is a useful indicator for diagnosing a variety of health conditions, but it does not ensure that an individual is free from health problems.
How to Check Your Heart Rate
Just evaluate your pulse to determine your heart rate. On the side of your windpipe, place your index and third fingers on your neck or place two fingers between the bone and the tendon above your radial artery, which is on the thumb side of your wrist, to feel your pulse there. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds after you feel your pulse. Your beats per minute can be calculated by multiplying this figure by four.Also Read: Heart Beating Fast For No Reason: Causes And Treatments
Normal Heart Rate Chart by Age & Gender
Check this age and gender-wise heart rate chart to know the normal pulse range for men and women.| Age Group | Men (BPM) | Women (BPM) | Normal Range (BPM) |
| 0–1 year (Infants) | 100–160 | 100–160 | 100–160 |
| 1–10 years (Children) | 70–120 | 70–120 | 70–120 |
| 11–17 years (Adolescents) | 60–100 | 60–100 | 60–100 |
| 18–25 years (Young Adults) | 60–100 | 70–100 | 60–100 |
| 26–35 years | 60–95 | 70–100 | 60–100 |
| 36–45 years | 60–95 | 70–100 | 60–100 |
| 46–55 years | 60–90 | 70–95 | 60–95 |
| 56–65 years | 60–90 | 70–95 | 60–95 |
| 65+ years (Seniors) | 60–90 | 70–95 | 60–95 |
What is a Normal Resting Heart Rate?
Resting heart rate is the number of beats per minute while at rest. It can vary based on age, activity level, physical fitness, and overall health.-
- Adults and older children (10 years and above): 60–100 bpm
- Highly trained athletes: as low as 40 bpm
Also Read: Understanding Fetal Development: When Can You Hear The Heartbeat?
Normal Resting Heart Rate by Age (BPM)
Within these ranges, the resting heart rate may fluctuate. It will rise in reaction to a number of factors, such as physical activity, body temperature, emotional responses, and body posture, such as for a brief period of time after rapidly standing up. The following is a table shows ideal resting heart rates at different ages:| Age | Normal Heart Rate (bpm) |
| Newborns | 100 to 205 |
| Infants (under 1 year) | 100 to 180 |
| 1 to 2 years | 98 to 140 |
| 3 to 5 years | 80 to 120 |
| 6 to 7 years | 75 to 118 |
| Older children, teens, and adults | 60 to 100 |
What is a Worrisome Heart Rate?
A resting heart rate consistently outside the range of 60 to 100 bpm may indicate potential heart issues.- Tachycardia: A resting heart rate over 100 bpm. Causes include infections, anemia, heart conditions, or low blood pressure.
- Bradycardia: A resting heart rate under 60 bpm. While it may not require medical attention in athletes, it can signal conditions like low blood oxygen, heart muscle damage, or electrical signaling issues in the heart.
Factors Affecting Resting Heart Rate
Age is just one of several variables that can impact your resting heart rate. Following are the other factors:- Temperature: Your heart rate may increase slightly when you’re exposed to hot temperatures.
- Pain: This stress response may increase the heart rate.
- Medication side effects: Your resting heart rate can be lowered by medications such as beta-blockers.
- Emotions: In case of anxiety or excitement, your heart rate may increase.
- Weight: The resting heart rate may be higher in obese people. This is because pumping blood to the body requires more effort from the heart.
- Anemia: Low red blood cell counts in anaemia can make the heart beat more quickly to pump blood that is rich in oxygen to your body.
- Endocrine or hormonal abnormalities: Certain hormones can affect heart rate at abnormal levels. For instance, hyperthyroidism, or having too much thyroid hormone, can raise heart rate, whereas hypothyroidism, or having too little thyroid hormone, can lower heart rate.
- Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS): After standing or sitting up, this syndrome causes an irregular rise in heart rate. Dizziness and fainting are common symptoms of PoTS in addition to heart palpitations.
- Body positioning: Moving from a sitting to a standing position may cause a brief increase in heart rate.
- Smoking: People who smoke typically have greater resting heart rates. It can be reduced by quitting smoking. A doctor can assist you in creating a cessation plan that works for you, which is often challenging.
How to Maintain a Normal Heart Rate?
Having a healthy heartbeat is very crucial for protecting heart health. Although exercise is crucial for maintaining a low and healthy heart rate, there are a number of additional actions one may do to safeguard their heart health, such as:- Reducing stress: Blood pressure and heart rate might rise as a result of stress. Meditation, yoga, mindfulness training, and deep breathing are methods to manage stress.
- Avoiding tobacco: Smoking raises heart rate, and stopping can bring it down to normal.
- Losing weight: The heart must work harder to pump oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body when the body weight increases. Therefore, losing weight can help in bringing heart rate back to normal.
Conclusion
A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 bpm, but several factors influence this. Consistently abnormal heart rates—whether too high or too low—should not be ignored, especially if accompanied by symptoms like dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath.If you experience irregular heart rates frequently, consult a cardiologist. At Asian Heart Institute, we provide accurate diagnosis and advanced treatment for heart conditions. Book your consultation today for the best cardiac care.
FAQs
Q1: How does gender influence heart rate?A: Women typically have slightly higher resting heart rates than men due to differences in heart size and hormonal factors.
Q2: What factors can affect heart rate?
A: Physical activity, stress, illness, medication, and overall fitness level can all influence heart rate.
Q3: When should I see a doctor about my heart rate?
A: Seek medical advice if your resting heart rate is consistently below 60 bpm or above 100 bpm, especially with symptoms like dizziness or shortness of breath.
Q4: Can heart rate indicate overall health?
A: Yes, a consistently normal resting heart rate is often a sign of good cardiovascular health, while irregularities may indicate potential issues.
Q5. What is a normal heart rate by age?
A: A normal heart rate (BPM) varies by age. Adults usually have a resting heart rate between 60–100 BPM, while children and teens may have higher rates.
Q6. What is the normal pulse rate for women?
A: The normal resting pulse rate for women typically ranges from 70–100 BPM, depending on age and fitness level.
Q7. What is the normal pulse rate for men?
A: For men, a normal resting pulse rate usually falls between 60–95 BPM, varying slightly with age and health.
Q8. Is a heart rate of 120 BPM normal?
A: Heart rate of 120 BPM can be normal for children or during exercise, but for adults at rest, it may indicate tachycardia.
Q9. What is a healthy resting heart rate for seniors?
A: For seniors, a healthy resting heart rate generally ranges from 60–95 BPM, though it can vary based on medical conditions and activity level.
