Heart Rate.

Heart rate simply means the number of times your heart beats per unit of time, which is typically expressed as per minute – beats per minute (bpm). In other words, it is the rate of heart beats per minute. 

Normal Heart Rate.

Normal heart rate at rest is usually within a fixed narrow range at rest between 60 to 100 beats per minute but can vary as per the requirements of the body for oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide and certain other factors. Normal heart rate is taken at rest, ideally when the person wakes up in the morning and in lying down or sitting position.

Average Heart Rate.

Though the normal heart rate at  rest can vary between 60 to 100 beats per minute, average heart rate at rest is the heart rate which is considered at 72 beats per minute.

Heart rate in women and heart rate in men does not differ and heart rate does not depend on gender. The normal heart rate parameters are the same for men as well as women.

Heart Rate Chart.

Below is a heart rate chart which gives the normal resting heart rate in various age groups.

  • Normal heart rate in Newborns (0-30 days old):      70 – 190 beats per minute
  • Normal heart rate in infants (1 – 11 months old):         80-120 beats per minute
  • Normal heart rate in children 1 to 10 years:             70 – 130 beats per minute
  • Normal heart rate in children over 10 and adults: 60 – 100 beats per minute
  • Normal heart rate in well-trained athletes:                40 – 60 beats per minute

Factors that Affect Heart Rate.

Changes in heart rate take place in normal conditions as well as in abnormal conditions.

  • Physical activity.
  • Air temperature.
  • Body fitness.
  • Position of body such as lying down or standing up.
  • Mental stress, fear, anxiety and emotions.
  • Fever.
  • Infection in the body.
  • Anemia and vitamin deficiency.
  • Size of the body. Obesity is associated with a higher heart rate.
  • Overactive thyroid is associated with higher heart rate.
  • Emphysema.
  • Heart conditions such as coronary heart diseases, hypertension, pericarditis, arrythmias, etc.
  • Certain medicines taken for heart diseases, or hypertension or diabetes can alter your predicted MHR. You should therefore always inform of any medication you are taking before determining your MHR or target heart rate.

Importance of Heart Rate.

  • Measuring a heart rate helps the medical practitioner in the diagnosis of various medical conditions.
  • It also helps the athletes to monitor their heart efficiency during training. (explained under healthy heart rate).

Abnormal Heart Rates.

Tachycardia is resting heart rate of more than 100 bpm.

Bradycardia is resting heart rate of less than 60 bpm

Arrthymias are abnormalities seen in heart rate and its rhythm. They can be fast or slow.

Also read:

Optimized Call to action logo Heart Rate.

Your action step.

If you feel this article could be useful, do share it on social media and pass a comment below.

Medic On Web

Related posts:

  1. What is Resting Heart Rate.
  2. Healthy Heart Rate.
  3. What is Recovery Heart Rate.
  4. Heart Rate Reserve.
  5. Are Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Linked.
  6. Heart Rate and Pulse.
  7. What is Maximum Heart Rate.
  8. Target Heart Rate – A Good Training Tool.