What’s a healthy heart rate? Here’s what the experts have to say
The pulse of a healthy person at rest is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats in a minute.
But it’s not always the same, however. It can change according to physical activity and mood.
It is often measured when at rest and relaxed (resting heart rate).
For adults, the normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute.
Normal heart rate chart
The following table shows the average normal resting heart rate for adults, according to age.
Age range (years) Average resting heart rate (bpm)
18 to 20 81.6
21 to 30 80.2
31 to 40 78.5
41 to 50 75.3
51 to 60 73.9
61 to 70 73.0
71 to 80 74.2
Heart rate varies from person to person. Age, activity level and certain medications can also influence it.
Although a healthy resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 bpm, athletes can have a heart rate below 60 bpm and this can be considered normal.
How to take your pulse
- Find your pulse on the inside of your wrist
- Press lightly on the artery with the pads of your index and middle fingers
- Count your pulse for 30 seconds
- Multiply that number by 2: this is your heart rate per minute (bpm)
If you notice that you repeatedly have a very high or low heart rate, make an appointment with your doctor. It doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong, but it’s worth ruling out any heart issues.
Sources:
How To Know if You Have a Good, Healthy Heart Rate. Plus, what to do if yours seems too fast or too slow. By Maggie O’Neill. Published on January 27, 2021. Health.
Normal vs. Dangerous Heart Rate: How to Tell the Difference. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.D., MSN — Written by Jessica DiGiacinto and Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. —January 7, 2022. Healthline.
Frecuencia cardíaca. Prevención. Fundación Española del Corazón.
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