What is a Dangerous Heart Rate?

Heart Rate Too High or Too Low? Normal vs. Critical Ranges

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.
 

What are the Different Types of Heart Rates?

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:

Bradycardia

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.

Tachycardia

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.  

What are the normal heart rates for adults and children in the resting stage?

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:

For children, the normal heart rates at the resting stage are described in the following table:

What are the Factors that Affect Resting Heart Rate?

Apart from age, certain factors can affect your resting heart rate:

• Temperature: If you stay in a hot environment, your heart rate may increase.
• Pain: Pain usually triggers a stress response within the body, causing an increased heart rate.
• Emotions: Emotions like excitement or anxiety can increase your normal heart rate.
• Weight: Obese people tend to have a higher heart rate, it occurs as the heart has to pump more blood to the different parts of the body.
• Anaemia: Conditions like anaemia trigger the heart to beat faster to supply oxygen-rich blood to the whole body.  
• Postural OrthostaticTachycardia Syndrome (POTS): This syndrome causes an irregular and abnormal increase in heart rate after doing any simple activity, like sitting or standing.   
• Smoking: Frequent smoking increases the heart rate, which can lead to more serious complications, like a cardiac attack or myocardial
• Hormonal Abnormalities: Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can both increase or decrease the normal rates in an adult.
   

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.