What is the recommended pulse rate for a person at rest?


The heart has a kind of natural pacemaker that sends out a regular electrical impulse that makes the heart contract. We can feel this movement of blood through the blood vessels with the pulse, which is what gives us the number of times the heart beats. When it comes to the heartbeat, cardiologists usually take note of two main aspects: the rate and the rhythm.

There are, broadly speaking, three different heartbeat rhythms: regular, regularly irregular, irregular (as in the case of atrial fibrillation). The most common rhythm is the regular rhythm, which is usually the sinus rhythm, i.e. the normal pacemaker system of the heart. As for the rate, there are three general ways to classify it: normal, fast and slow. It is estimated that, over a period of 70 years, a person’s heart may beat more than 2.5 billion times.

What is the normal resting heart rate?

The resting heart rate is the heart pumping the least amount of blood it needs because it is not exercising. It is measured by counting the number of heartbeats per minute while we are resting. For example, if your heart contracts 72 times in one minute, your pulse would be 72 beats per minute (BPM). This is also called heart rate. If you are sitting or lying down and are calm, relaxed, and not sick, your heart rate is usually between 60 and 100 beats per minute.

However, some recent studies suggest that an ideal resting heart rate would be between 50 and 70 beats per minute. Your heart rate can change while you are sleeping or doing any daily activity. Generally, it will be slower during sleep and faster during daily activities or exercise. This means that the heart adapts and recovers, which is associated with good heart health.

The resting heart rate can be used to estimate how much energy the body uses or to calculate the basal metabolic rate. A good time to check your resting heart rate is in the morning, after a good night’s sleep, before you get out of bed and have your first cup of coffee of the day, admits the American Heart Association. (AHA).

For experts, when it comes to resting heart rate, slower is better because it means the heart muscle is in good shape and doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the blood flow steady. It’s important to keep in mind that heart rate varies from person to person and also varies with age and level of physical activity.

When the rate is too fast or too slow

A slow heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute), called bradycardia, can be common in people who are very active and athletic. This happens because their heart muscle is in better condition and doesn’t need to work as hard to keep a steady pace. Or it may also be common in people who take medications such as beta-blockers, which block adrenaline. In certain cases, it may be a sign of heart problems.

Conversely, when we exercise, heart rates can increase to 130-150 beats per minute, which is normal because the heart has to deliver more oxygen to the active muscles. The harder the body works, the faster the heart beats. A fast heart rate at rest, called tachycardia (120 beats per minute), can be due to a variety of conditions, including anemia or thyroid disease (too much thyroid medication raises the pulse).

In addition to exercise, other factors that can cause the heart to beat faster include caffeine intake, nicotine, certain drugs. The heart may also beat faster when feeling strong emotions such as anxiety or fear. Another factor that can affect heart rate is body weight. Obesity can result in a higher number of beats per minute than normal. It can also change depending on the air temperature, because when temperatures and humidity soar, the heart pumps a little more blood, so the pulse may increase.

Where is the heart rate measured?

The pulse is usually taken from the radial artery, which can be felt at the wrist, in line with the base of the thumb. It should be taken with two or three fingers of the other hand pressing lightly, until the pulse is felt. Once the pulse has been found, we should continue to feel it for about 30 seconds. You can calculate the heart rate in beats per minute by counting the number of beats for 60 seconds or by counting the beats for 6 seconds and multiplying by 10.

You can also take your pulse at the carotid artery on the side of your neck. To measure your pulse, place your fingers on the side of your windpipe, just under your jaw. The fingers may need to be moved until the heartbeat can be felt. You can count the pulses for 15 seconds and multiply this number by 4 to get the heart rate.

How to achieve a healthy heart rate

Keeping active, both adults and children, is one of the most effective ways to achieve a normal resting heart rate. The AHA recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day for children and adolescents (ages 6 to 17). It is estimated that one to two weeks of aerobic training can achieve a reduction in resting heart rate of one beat per minute. In addition to exercise, it is essential for a healthy heartbeat not to smoke, to maintain an adequate diet, and to maintain an adequate weight.

Finally, high heart rate is sometimes confused with high blood pressure. But they have nothing to do with each other. High blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood against the walls of the arteries, while heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute. There is no correlation between the two, i.e., having high blood pressure does not necessarily result in a high heart rate, and vice versa. Heart rate increases during physical activity, while blood pressure may do so, but only slightly.

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