What Is Resting Heart Rate?

When you are at rest, your heart is pumping blood at a rate that is known as the resting heart rate. This rate is almost always constant and its value can determine the health of your heart.

What Is Resting Heart Rate?

When a person is at rest and not physically exerting themselves, their heart rate is said to be pumping blood at a rate known as the ” “resting heart rate” . This rate is usually between 60 to 80 beats per minute (bpm).  This rate can determine if you suffer from a cardiac problem and show a picture of the overall health of your heart. If a person has a resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute, he or she suffers from bradycardia. A resting heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute is called tachycardia. Both bradycardia and tachycardia are not normal and a person who has these conditions should consult a doctor.

What Is The Importance Of Determining The Resting Heart Rate?

Determining your resting heart rate will help you determine the health of your heart. If you suffer from a cardiac disease, your resting heart rate can fluctuate. In some people the resting heart rate modifies for example in conditioned athletes, the resting heart rate can fall below 60 beats per minute. This is because athletes tend to have more cardiac muscle and thus have a greater ” “cardiac output” . This heart rate in athletes is not harmful. A high resting heart rate however, can be an indication of cardiac diseases like atherosclerosis and high blood pressure.

How Can Resting Heart Rate Be Calculated?

Resting heart rate should ideally be calculated first thing in the morning when you wake up. If that”s not possible then you should rest quietly for at least 15-20 minutes and relax, then check your resting heart rate. You can calculate it by counting your pulse for ten seconds and multiplying the number by 6. You can then determine the most accurate resting heart rate reading by taking this reading on three different days and then calculating the mean by dividing it by three. A home blood pressure machine usually shows your pulse as well, and you can determine your resting heart rate by checking your blood pressure at rest.

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HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

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Written by HealthStatus Team
Medical Writer & Editor

HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

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