Categories >> Body Measurements >> Heart Rate
A human heart rate, measured as the number of times the heart beats per minute, is considered normal when resting between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm) for adults; a lower resting heart rate usually indicates better cardiovascular fitness, while a higher rate can be a sign of stress or exertion. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key points about human heart rate: [1, 2, 4]
Normal range: 60-100 bpm for adults [1, 2, 4]
Factors affecting heart rate: [1, 2, 6]
• Physical activity: Increases during exercise and decreases with rest [1, 2, 6]
• Stress: Can cause a temporary increase in heart rate [1, 2, 6]
• Age: Children typically have higher resting heart rates than adults [4, 7, 8]
• Fitness level: Well-trained athletes may have a lower resting heart rate [3, 5, 7]
• Medications: Certain medications can affect heart rate [2, 8]
Terminology related to heart rate: [2, 5, 9]
• Tachycardia: Abnormally fast heart rate (above 100 bpm)
• Bradycardia: Abnormally slow heart rate (below 60 bpm)
• Resting heart rate: Heart rate when at rest [1, 2, 3, 5, 9]
How to measure heart rate: [3, 10]
• Pulse check: Feel your pulse at your wrist or neck and count the beats for a set period (usually 15 seconds) [3, 10]
• Fitness tracker: Wearable devices can continuously monitor heart rate [10, 11, 12]
[1] https://health.ucdavis.edu/sports-medicine/resources/heart-rate
[2] https://www.cham.org/HealthwiseArticle.aspx?id=aa73824
[3] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979
[4] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/heart-rate
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_rate
[6] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-is-a-dangerous-heart-rate
[7] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/resting-heart-rate
[8] https://www.medanta.org/patient-education-blog/normal-vs-dangerous-heart-rate
[9] https://www.physio-pedia.com/Heart_Rate
[10] https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/articles/how-to-check-your-heart-rate
[11] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6592896/
[12] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/resting-heart-rate