Any person's heart rate must typically be between 60 and 100 beats per minute (BPM). Several factors can make it slower or faster, as it depends on the overall physiological condition. A heart rate below 60 BPM is not concerning, but a heart rate above 100 BPM might need medical attention.
Heart rates of an adult depend on various factors, but in general, doctors classify heart rates into two types: tachycardia (high heart rate) and bradycardia (low heart rate). We will discuss these two categories in detail:
Heart rates below 60 bpm in a normal individual can be dangerous, depending on the health condition. It becomes dangerous if the person experiences symptoms, like fainting or dizziness. Frequent bradycardia can also indicate any underlying heart conditions, such as congenital heart disease.
A heart rate above 100 bpm, while in the rest phase, can indicate tachycardia, which signifies a faster beating of the heart. It can lead to the heart not getting enough time to fill with blood between the heartbeats, compromising the overall blood flow. If anyone is experiencing frequent or irregular tachycardia, they should have any underlying heart conditions, like ventricular tachycardia or atrial fibrillation.
The resting-stage heart rate is when the heart pumps a minimal amount of blood while our body is at rest.
Here we will provide detailed information regarding the normal heart rates both in adults and kids:
Range of Ages (years) | Average Heart Rates in the Resting Phase (BPM) |
18-20 | 81.6 |
21-30 | 80.2 |
31-40 | 78.5 |
41-50 | 75.3 |
51-60 | 73.9 |
61-70 | 73.0 |
71-80 | 74.2 |
Above 80 | 78.1 |
For children, the normal heart rates at the resting stage are described in the following table:
Age | Waking Rest Rate (BPM) | Sleeping Resting Rate (BPM) |
Newborn to 3 months | 85-205 | 80-160 |
3 months to 2 years | 100-190 | 75-160 |
2 years to 10 years | 60-140 | 40-90 |
Over 10 years | 60-100 | 50-90 |
Apart from age, certain factors can affect your resting heart rate:
Apart from these, heavy alcohol consumption or fat-rich foods can increase heart rate abnormally, which can lead to serious complications, like cardiac diseases or cardiac failure.