What is a normal heart rate? Everyone wants to know what is normal, especially when it comes to heart health. Basic questions that are often asked or searched on the internet include: Show
These questions are easily answered and can provide reassuring information to those worried about their heart health. When it comes to the beating of your heart cardiologists take note of two major parts, the rhythm and the rate. There are three different rhythms of a heartbeat, 1) regular, 2) regularly irregular, or 3) irregularly irregular (e.g. atrial fibrillation). By far the most common rhythm of the heart is a regular rhythm, which is usually sinus rhythm (i.e. the normal pacemaker system of the heart) in the vast majority of people. The remainder of this post will assume your heart is in sinus rhythm and will discuss heart rate. How Do I Determine Heart Rate?
What is a Normal or Resting Heart Rate?There are three general ways to classify heart rate, 1) normal, 2) fast and 3) slow.
A resting heart rate predicts longevity and cardiovascular disease, and current evidence suggests that it is also an important marker of outcome in cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. A normal heart rate is generally stated to be between 60-100 beats per minute at rest (sitting, relaxing, etc.). However, recent studies (here and here) have suggested that an ideal resting heart rate is between 50-70 beats per minute. It is well-known that the average resting heart rate for well-trained athletes is between 40-60 beats per minute! A heart rate can change dramatically while sleeping or with daily activity and exercise. Usually, a heart rate will be slower during sleep, faster during daily activities or with exercise, and recover quickly back to a resting rate after exercise. This means your heart has appropriate heart rate variability and recovery, which is associated with good heart health. Your resting heart rate can also be used to estimate how much energy your body uses, or your basal metabolic rate. What is a Normal Exercising Heart Rate?To determine what a normal exercising heart rate is, you first need to determine your age-predicted maximal heart rate. Here is the generalized equation for predicting maximal heart rate (HRmax) in healthy adults: HRmax = 208 – (0.7 x age) For example, a 20-year-old person, the age-predicted maximal heart rate would be 194 beats per minute and for a 65-year-old person, the age-predicted maximal heart rate would be 163 beats per minute. A simplified age-predicted maximal heart rate equation (i.e. 220 – age) is commonly used, but it overestimates maximal heart rate in young adults and increasingly underestimates the maximal heart rate in older adults.Being physically active is important to prevent cardiovascular disease, the #1 cause of death in the world. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends the following for physical activity:
So, what defines “moderate-intensity” or “high-intensity” exercise with regards to heart rate? Once you have determined your maximal heart rate, then we can determine what your exercising heart rate should be based on the intensity of exercise.
Remember, exercise can include (but is not limited to) walking, jogging, running, swimming, biking, climbing stairs, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or playing sports – whatever activity you find the most interesting or enjoyable. A resting heart rate is a very basic, but incredibly important predictor of cardiovascular disease and death in the general population. It is now recognized that positive modification of high-risk health profiles with strict diet and exercise programs can lower risk and is associated with improvement of resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and heart rate recovery. Take control of your health! 4.51/5 (1,728) What is a good resting heart rate by age?Normal Heart Rate by Age Chart. What is a healthy resting heart rate for a woman?What is the normal heart rate for a woman? The average heart rate for adult women is 78 to 82 beats per minute, though the “normal” range is between 60 to 100 beats per minute. Multiple factors such as hormones, exercise and lifestyle choices can affect your heart rate.
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