While a low resting heart rate often suggests greater physical fitness, some situations can make your RHR too low, which may cause occasional dizziness or fatigue. Wasfy recommends checking your resting heart rate a few times per week and at different times of the day.
Keep in mind that the number can be influenced by many factors, including stress and anxiety, circulating hormones, and medications such as certain antidepressants and some blood pressure drugs. Talk with your doctor if your resting heart rate is regularly on the high end. There are ways to lower it and keep it within its proper range.
One example is keeping your cholesterol levels in check. High levels restrict blood flow through the arteries and damage blood vessels, which can make your heart beat faster than normal to move blood through the body. Another reliable way to lower your resting heart rate is to exercise.
However, the intensity of the exercise is key. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
This report will help you understand and invest in the steps you need to take to keep heart failure in check. The figures are averages, so use them as a general guide. You've got goals. So do we. Donate Now. How do I find my pulse or heart rate? Use the tips of your first two fingers not your thumb and press lightly over the artery.
Count your pulse for 30 seconds and multiply by 2 to find your beats per minute. What if my heart rate is too high or too low? Last Reviewed: Mar 9, Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.
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This demonstrates the full capability of the heart, and it is normally reached through high-intensity exercise. The American Heart Association AHA states that the maximum heart rate during exercise should be roughly equal to bpm minus the age of the person. As the body of each individual will react to exercise differently, the target heart rate is presented as a range known as the target heart rate zone. The following table shows the appropriate target heart rate zone for a range of ages.
It is recommended that people exercise regularly to work towards a healthy target heart rate. The AHA recommends the following amounts and levels of exercise per week:. The speed of the heart is not the only factor to bear in mind when considering its health. The rhythm of the heartbeat is important too.
The heart should beat with a steady rhythm, and there should be a regular gap between beats. The muscle has an electrical system that tells it when to beat and push blood around the body.
A faulty electrical system can lead to an abnormal heart rhythm. It is normal for the heart rate to vary throughout the day in response to exercise, anxiety , excitement, and fear. However, a person should not normally be aware of their resting heartbeat. If you feel that your heart is beating out of rhythm, too fast, or too slow, speak to a doctor about your symptoms. An extra beat is called an ectopic beat.
Ectopic beats are very common, usually harmless, and do not often need treatment. People concerned about palpitations or ectopic beats should speak to your doctor who will be able to carry out an electrocardiogram ECG to assess the heart rate and the rhythm.
There are many different types of abnormal heart rhythm. The type depends on where in the heart the abnormal rhythm starts, and whether it causes the heart to beat too fast or too slow. The most common abnormal rhythm is atrial fibrillation.
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