Heart rate indicates the number of beats per minute and their normal value in adults varies from 60 to 100 beats per minute at rest. However, the frequency considered normal usually varies depending on certain factors, such as age, level of physical activity, or the presence of heart disease.
The ideal heart rate, at rest, depending on age is:
- Heart rate is an important indicator of health status.
- But look at other parameters that may indicate your health: How to know if I’m healthy.
If you want to know if your heart rate is normal, enter the data in our calculator:
The following table shows the normal heart rate for resting men
This chart already shows the normal heart rate for women at rest:
If the frequency is higher than the values shown in the table, exercise should be performed regularly as this improves the heart’s capacity and so the heart can pump the same amount of blood, with less effort, which naturally decreases the resting heart rate.
To measure, you can place your index finger and middle finger on the side of your neck, where you can feel your heart rate and count the number of beats perceived for 1 minute. The calculation can also be done by counting the heartbeats up to 15 seconds and multiplying the result by 4. Another more reliable way is to use a small device called a frequency meter placed on your finger or use special clocks that measure CF. These products can be purchased in sports or medical medicine stores.
The main factors that change your heart rate are listed below
The increase in heart rate is not always due to a worrying situation. Your heart can beat faster or faster in everyday situations such as:
When the pressure is high, above 140 x 90 mmHg, there is tachycardia and if the pressure continues to increase, there is a risk of infarction. Symptoms that may indicate that the person has or may have a heart attack include chest or arm pain, poor digestion, dizziness and cold sweats. If the person has these symptoms, go to the emergency room or call an ambulance. See what the first symptoms of a heart attack are.
If the person experiences this increase in heart rate more than 3 times a week, even at rest, without any effort and without any of the above situations, he or she should go to the cardiologist for heart scans, identify the cause, and start treatment if necessary.
A heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute may be due to aging or simply a side effect of certain heart medications, for example. However, a low heart rate can also indicate heart problems such as heart block or sinus node dysfunction, especially if accompanied by dizziness, fatigue or shortness of breath. For example, if the person has a low heart rate, they should consult a cardiologist for heart tests, identify the cause, and begin treatment if necessary.
If your heart rate is too high and your heart beats hard, what you can do to try to normalize your heart rate at that time is:
Thus, your heart rate should decrease a little, but if you notice that this tachycardia, as it is called, occurs frequently, it is necessary to go to the doctor to check what may be causing this increase and if treatment is necessary.
But when a person measures their resting heart rate and thinks it might be lower, the best way to normalize it is to get regular physical activity. This may include walking, running, aquagym classes, or any other activity that leads to fitness.
The maximum heart rate varies depending on the age and type of activity the person performs daily, but can be verified by performing the following mathematical calculation: 220 minus age (for men) and 226 minus age (for women).
A young adult may have a maximum heart rate of 90 and an athlete may have a maximum heart rate of 55, which is also related to the individual’s physical condition. The important thing is to know that one individual’s maximum heart rate may be different from another and this may not represent a health problem, but a physical condition.
To lose weight and, at the same time, burn fat, it is necessary to train in a range of 60 to 75% of the maximum heart rate, which varies depending on the sex and age of the individual. Check your ideal heart rate for burning fat and losing weight.