Your resting heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you're at rest. It's a good indicator of your overall heart health. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. However, some people may have a normal resting heart rate that's outside this range.
There are a number of factors that can affect your resting heart rate, including age, sex, fitness level, and medications. In general, younger people have faster resting heart rates than older people. Men also tend to have faster resting heart rates than women. People who are in good physical condition typically have lower resting heart rates than people who are not as active.
If you're concerned about your resting heart rate, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if your heart rate is normal for you and provide guidance on how to lower it if necessary.
what is a normal resting heart rate
Normal range: 60-100 bpm
- Age, sex, fitness affect rate
- Lower rate indicates better health
- High rate can signal health issues
- Medications can also affect rate
- Talk to doctor if concerned
- Lower rate with exercise and diet
- High rate may require treatment
Your resting heart rate is an important indicator of your overall health. If you're concerned about your resting heart rate, talk to your doctor.
Age, sex, fitness affect rate
Age: As you get older, your resting heart rate tends to slow down. This is because your heart muscle becomes less efficient at pumping blood. As a result, your heart has to beat more times per minute to pump the same amount of blood.
Sex: Men typically have faster resting heart rates than women. This is because men have larger hearts and more muscle mass. As a result, their hearts have to work harder to pump blood throughout their bodies.
Fitness: People who are in good physical condition typically have lower resting heart rates than people who are not as active. This is because exercise helps to strengthen the heart muscle and make it more efficient at pumping blood. As a result, the heart doesn't have to beat as many times per minute to pump the same amount of blood.
Other factors that can affect your resting heart rate include:
- Medications
- Stress
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Smoking
If you're concerned about your resting heart rate, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if your heart rate is normal for you and provide guidance on how to lower it if necessary.
Lower rate indicates better health
A lower resting heart rate is generally an indicator of better heart health. This is because a slower heart rate means that your heart is more efficient at pumping blood. As a result, your heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump the same amount of blood.
- Reduced risk of heart disease: People with lower resting heart rates are less likely to develop heart disease, such as heart attacks and strokes.
- Improved athletic performance: Athletes with lower resting heart rates are able to exercise longer and harder without getting tired. This is because their hearts are more efficient at delivering oxygen to their muscles.
- Lower risk of death: People with lower resting heart rates are less likely to die from all causes, including heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
- Increased longevity: People with lower resting heart rates tend to live longer than people with higher resting heart rates.
Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule. Some people with low resting heart rates may have underlying health conditions, such as hypothyroidism or heart block. However, for most people, a lower resting heart rate is a sign of good health.
High rate can signal health issues
A high resting heart rate can be a sign of a number of underlying health conditions, including:
- Heart disease: A high resting heart rate can be a sign of heart failure, arrhythmia, or other heart conditions.
- Anemia: Anemia is a condition in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to a high resting heart rate because your heart has to work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout your body.
- Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This can lead to a high resting heart rate, as well as other symptoms such as weight loss, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.
- Sepsis: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when your body's response to an infection damages its own tissues. Sepsis can cause a high resting heart rate, as well as other symptoms such as fever, chills, and shortness of breath.
In addition to these medical conditions, a high resting heart rate can also be caused by lifestyle factors, such as:
- Stress: Stress can cause your heart rate to increase. This is because stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, can make your heart beat faster.
- Caffeine: Caffeine is a stimulant that can also increase your heart rate.
- Alcohol: Alcohol can also increase your heart rate, especially if you drink too much.
- Smoking: Smoking can damage your heart and blood vessels, which can lead to a high resting heart rate.
If you're concerned about your resting heart rate, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if your heart rate is normal for you and provide guidance on how to lower it if necessary.
Medications can also affect rate
A number of medications can also affect your resting heart rate. Some medications can increase your heart rate, while others can slow it down.
Medications that can increase your heart rate include:
- Beta-agonists: These medications are used to treat asthma and other respiratory conditions. They work by relaxing the muscles in your airways, which makes it easier to breathe. However, they can also increase your heart rate.
- Decongestants: These medications are used to relieve nasal congestion. They work by narrowing the blood vessels in your nose, which reduces swelling and congestion. However, they can also increase your heart rate.
- Thyroid hormones: These medications are used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones can increase your metabolism, which can lead to a faster heart rate.
- Antidepressants: Some antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can increase your heart rate.
Medications that can slow your heart rate include:
- Beta-blockers: These medications are used to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions. They work by blocking the effects of adrenaline and other stress hormones, which can slow down your heart rate.
- Calcium channel blockers: These medications are also used to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions. They work by relaxing the muscles in your heart and blood vessels, which can slow down your heart rate.
- Digoxin: This medication is used to treat heart failure. It works by strengthening the heart muscle and slowing down the heart rate.
If you're taking any medications, be sure to talk to your doctor about how they may affect your resting heart rate.
Talk to doctor if concerned
If you're concerned about your resting heart rate, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if your heart rate is normal for you and provide guidance on how to lower it if necessary.
Your doctor will likely ask you about your symptoms and medical history. They may also perform a physical examination and order some tests, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or an echocardiogram, to assess your heart health.
Based on the results of your evaluation, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as exercise and a healthy diet, to help you lower your resting heart rate. If these measures don't work or if you have a medical condition that is causing your high heart rate, your doctor may prescribe medication.
It's important to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your resting heart rate. A high resting heart rate can be a sign of a serious health condition, so it's important to get it checked out right away.
When to see a doctor about your resting heart rate:
- If you're experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue, especially if these symptoms occur with exercise.
- If you have a family history of heart disease or stroke.
- If you have other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
- If you're taking any medications that can affect your heart rate.
If you have any of these concerns, talk to your doctor right away. They can help you determine if your resting heart rate is normal for you and provide guidance on how to lower it if necessary.