Monitoring your heart rate is essential for your overall well-being. An abnormal heart rate, whether too fast or too slow, can indicate potential issues with your heart health.
Your heart rate is a key indicator of your cardiovascular health, fluctuating based on factors like stress, hormones, caffeine intake, and physical activity levels. A high heart rate can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Knowing what a normal heart rate is and when to be concerned can help you keep your heart strong.
What is heart rate?
Heart rate, measured in beats per minute (bpm), reflects how quickly your heart pumps blood throughout your body. It is a crucial measure of overall heart health and fitness level. To check your heart rate, find your pulse first.
Measuring your pulse at your wrist is the simplest way to determine heart rate. Place two fingers on your radial artery, located on your wrist’s thumb side. Count the beats for 15 seconds and multiply by four to get your heart rate.
![A woman holding an anatomic heart model A woman holding an anatomic heart model](https://images.healthshots.com/healthshots/en/uploads/2024/03/19192643/Heart-rate1-370x207.jpg)
What is an average heart rate?
For most adults, a heart rate between 60 and 100 bpm is considered normal by the American Heart Association. However, factors like age, fitness level, and health conditions can influence this range. Athletes and highly fit individuals may have lower resting heart rates, indicating good heart health.
What is a dangerous heart rate?
A dangerously high heart rate, known as tachycardia, occurs when the heart beats too fast, exceeding 110 to 120 bpm at rest. Studies have linked a high resting heart rate to increased cardiovascular disease risk. On the other hand, a very low heart rate (bradycardia) below 40 to 50 bpm at rest may also indicate heart health issues.
Various factors can contribute to abnormal heart rates, including underlying heart conditions, electrolyte imbalances, thyroid disorders, stress, caffeine consumption, and genetic predispositions.
When to see a doctor?
If you experience persistent high or low heart rates, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeats, or other concerning symptoms, seek medical attention promptly to address underlying issues and preserve heart health.
![A woman with her hands on her heart A woman with her hands on her heart](https://images.healthshots.com/healthshots/en/uploads/2024/03/19192801/Heart-rate2-370x207.jpg)
How to maintain a healthy heart rate?
To promote cardiovascular wellness and maintain a healthy heart rate, consider incorporating aerobic exercise, a balanced diet, stress-reducing practices like meditation or yoga, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing underlying health conditions under medical supervision.
Monitoring your heart rate and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help you prioritize your cardiovascular health and well-being.