What’s the difference between heart rate and blood pressure?

As its name suggests, your resting heart rate, or pulse, is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you’re at rest. (Not to be confused with blood pressure, the force with which your blood circulates.) It’s also a vital sign that provides a window into your heart and overall health—especially as you age, according to the American Heart Association.

What’s resting heart rate?

As its name suggests, your resting heart rate, or pulse, is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you’re at rest. It’s also a vital sign that provides a window into your heart and overall health—especially as you age, according to the American Heart Association.

What’s a normal resting heart rate?

Resting heart rate isn’t a one-size-fits-all metric. In addition to age, factors including stress, hormones, anxiety, medication, and physical activity contribute to what may be considered a healthy rate for you. On average, though, the American Heart Association says a resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm) is “normal” for most adults. Athletes or very active individuals may have a resting rate as low as 40 bpm; at the peak of his swimming career, Olympian Michael Phelps famously maintained 38 bpm at rest.

Is a high resting heart rate bad?

The harder your heart has to work to pump blood throughout your body while you’re not exerting yourself, the higher your resting heart rate. That’s why a lower resting heart rate is indicative of a healthier, more efficient muscle. Research has shown higher resting heart rate to be associated with higher body weight, higher blood pressure, and lower physical fitness, the American Heart Association notes. Other studies have demonstrated a link between lower resting heart rate and longevity. Resting heart rate is related to a person’s cardiovascular training, says Dr. Joseph Ebinger, director of the coronary intensive care unit at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

How do I check my pulse?

Your wrist, the inside of your elbow, the side of your neck, or the top of your foot are the best places to locate your pulse, according to the American Heart Association. It’s also a good idea to check it in the morning, after a good night’s sleep but before you get out of bed. Here are the organization’s instructions for getting the most accurate reading on your wrist: Locate the artery on the inner wrist of either arm; lightly place your index and middle fingers on the artery; you should feel each beat against your fingers; count the number of beats in 60 seconds.

Is something wrong if my resting heart rate changes?

Think of your resting heart rate like the check engine light on your car dashboard; it can alert you to an underlying health issue of which you may otherwise be unaware. If you’re getting sick, for instance, the oncoming illness will likely be reflected in a higher pulse. But when a sustained change in your resting heart rate can’t be attributed to something like an illness, a new medication, or an altered exercise regimen, let your health care provider know.

What if my pulse is too high?

Having a pulse over 100 bpm is called tachycardia. The condition can be brought on by anything from dehydration or excessive caffeine intake, to smoking or anxiety. Fatigue, nausea, sweating, and lightheadedness are among the possible symptoms. The American Heart Association recommends talking to your doctor if you have frequent episodes. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the condition; a mild case of what’s called supraventricular tachycardia may not require any treatment, while an extreme case of ventricular tachycardia may require surgery.

What if my pulse is too low?

Bradycardia occurs when your heart rate falls below 60 bpm. Conditions including obstructive sleep apnea and chemical imbalances in the blood can cause bradycardia. Older adults are more prone to this form of arrhythmia, but it’s also not abnormal for your heart rate to dip below 60 bpm when you’re in a deep sleep, the American Heart Association says. Bradycardia treatment ranges from no treatment to the insertion of a pacemaker depending on the duration and severity of the condition.

How can I lower my resting heart rate?

While amping up your cardiovascular exercise routine may seem an obvious path to the long-term lowering of your resting heart rate, meditation is a low-key way to achieve similar results. Studies have shown the practice to be beneficial in not only lowering resting heart rate in times of stress but also preventing heart disease in the future.

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Healthheart disease

Your resting heart rate can tell you a lot about your health. Here’s what your pulse should be at every age

BYLindsey Leake

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