Why heart rate matters, and how to check it
Dec. 30, 2024—You might not think much about your heart rate unless you know you have a heart condition. But being aware of your number can give you clues about your future heart failure risk, recent research suggests.
Heart rate 101
Your heart rate, also known as your pulse, is the number of times your heart beats during one minute. There are two main heart rate numbers you may want to know.
- Resting heart rate: the number of times your heart beats per minute when you're not active. A normal resting heart rate is typically between 60 and 100 beats per minute for most adults.
- Target heart rate: the number of times your heart beats per minute when you're physically active. Your heart rate goes up as you exercise because your heart is working harder to send oxygen to your muscles. Younger adults typically have higher target heart rates than older adults.
Your heart rate can be affected by many different things, per the American Heart Association (AHA). These include:
- Activity level.
- Fitness.
- Body weight.
- Medication use.
- Temperature.
- Body position (sitting or standing).
- Emotions.
- Pain.
Tracking your heart rate
People whose resting heart rates increased steadily for more than 20 years may be more at risk for heart failure and death compared to people whose resting heart rate stayed stable or decreased, notes a recent AHA study. So it's worth keeping tabs on your resting heart rate. Here's how to do it.
- Find your pulse on the inside of your wrist or elbow, on the side of your neck, or on the top of your foot.
- Place your index and middle finger on your pulse. Wait until you can feel the pulse beating.
- Using a timer, your watch or a stopwatch, count the number of beats there are in 60 seconds.
Once you know your resting heart rate, you can use it to personalize your target heart rate for exercise. This can give you a clue about your current fitness level. (If you have a heart condition, check in with your doctor before starting an exercise program.)
When to call your doctor
Your heart rate is just one part of your overall health picture. But if you notice one or more of these signs, speak with your doctor.
- A resting heart rate of lower than 60 or higher than 100.
- Dizziness, weakness or feeling like you might faint.
You should also let your doctor know if you're having symptoms of possible heart failure. Learn about the seven common warning signs so you know what to watch for.
Sources
- American Heart Association. "Abnormal Resting Heart Rate Over Long Term May Predict Future Heart Failure or Death." https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/11/22/abnormal-resting-heart-rate-over-long-term-may-predict-future-heart-failure-or-death.
- American Heart Association. "All About Heart Rate." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure/all-about-heart-rate-pulse.
- American Heart Association. "Target Heart Rates Chart." https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/target-heart-rates.