Resting Heart Rate.

Resting heart rate (HRrest) is the heart rate in a person who is at rest – meaning lying down and awake without having had any form of exertion for some time. Resting heartrate is best measured (by pulse or a monitor) in the morning when you wake up and in a lying down or sitting position.

Resting heart rate is an indicator of the basic fitness level in a person. A better fitness means a more efficient heart with a better pumping output meeting the body requirements with fewer hearts beats per minute.

Average Resting Heart Rate|Normal Resting Heart Rate.

Normal resting heart rate range in an adult is 60 to 90 bpm (beats per minute). Therefore, as explained above, an otherwise healthy adult with 65 bpm will be deemed more fit than a similar adult with 85 bpm. A slower resting heart rate within the normal range is therefore a good resting heart. An average resting heart rate is considered at 72 bpm.

Resting Heart Rate in Athletes.

However professional athletes who train regularly have  well developed heart muscle which gives a high stroke volume and therefore resting heart rate in athletes can go below 60 bpm. Heart rates even below 40 bpm have been recorded in some athletes. Read healthy heart rate for a more detailed explanation.

Slow heart rate at rest in a non athletic adult below 60 bpm  is called bradycardia while a high heart rate above 100 is called tachycardia. Such heart rates require medical attention.

Heart Rate and Exercise.

However please note that in a normal person, heart rate increases during exercise in order that extra blood be circulated due to increase demand by the body. Such an increased heart rate due exercise or any physical activity is normal.

Resting heart rate in men and the resting heart rate in women are not different and lie within the same range. Slight variations which can occur are shown below in tabular form.

Resting Heart Rate Chart in Men.

Resting Heart Rate Chart in Women.

Related posts:

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