Your heart rate is an important indicator of your cardiovascular health. It is measured in beats per minute and reflects the efficiency with which the heart pumps blood throughout the body. Monitoring and maintaining an appropriate heart rate are crucial for supporting a healthy circulatory system and preventing potential cardiovascular issues. Simply put, the heart rate must stay within the normal range and not be too high or too low.
What Is A Normal Heart Rate?
Talking to the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Ashima Bhelotkar, CTVS Surgeon, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, Kolkata, shares that the normal resting heart rate for a healthy adult may range between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm) and can vary from person to person depending on their age and health.
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“The resting heart rate is the heart rate of a person when they are at rest. It serves as a reflection of a person's overall health," she explains, adding that a lower resting heart rate indicates more efficient cardiac function and greater cardiovascular fitness.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, there are many factors, including stress, anxiety, hormones, medication, and physical activity levels, that can affect your resting heart rate.
Therefore, a normal exercising heart rate is commonly given as a percentage between 50% and 85% of the maximum heart rate, as per Dr Bhelotkar.
She says that the normal range of heart rate while exercising can be determined by subtracting a person's age from the maximum heart rate.
Citing an example, she shares, "A 50-year-old will have a maximum heart rate of 220 minus 50, i.e., 170 bpm. At 50% effort, the heart rate would be 50% of the maximum, or 85 bpm. It would be 145 beats per minute at 85% exertion.”
It is important to note that the normal heart rate of older adults may vary from that of young individuals.
As people age, their heart rate tends to decrease, the doctor further notes, sharing that for individuals aged 60 years or older, a resting heart rate between 60 and 100 bpm is considered normal.
When Is Heart Rate Considered Too Low?
Generally, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function.
However, when the resting heart rate drops too low, it leads to a condition called bradycardia.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), when a resting heart rate is fewer than 60 bpm, it qualifies as bradycardia. But note that your heart rate may fall below 60 bpm during deep sleep.
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Common Causes Of Bradycardia
Some of the common causes of bradycardia include:
- Problems with the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart’s natural pacemaker
- Metabolic problems such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)
- Damage to the heart from ageing, heart disease, or a heart attack
- Certain heart medications can cause bradycardia as a side effect.
- Congenital heart defects (present at birth)
- Complications from heart surgery
- Repeated breathing disruptions during sleep, known as obstructive sleep apnoea
- Inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatic fever or lupus
Conclusion
A slow heart rate, known as bradycardia, can have various causes. While some cases may be benign or non-life-threatening, persistent bradycardia requires a thorough evaluation by doctors to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment. A normal resting heart rate may differ from person to person, depending on their age, health, and physical activity levels. Regular monitoring and timely medical attention are crucial to ensuring optimal heart function.