Verified By Dr Prasant Kumar Sahoo June 29, 2021
24903The heart is a vital organ of the human body that supplies oxygenated blood to the entire system. It pumps blood through the circulatory system. The pumping of the heart is known as the heart rate of the person. A normal heart rate for adults ranges from 60-100 beats per minute.
A normal heart rate means that the heart is functioning perfectly well and can transport oxygen, blood, and minerals to all the parts of the body.
The heart rate is checked by a pulse that you can feel by placing your index and third finger at the wrist , neck etc. You must count your pulse for a minute or count for fifteen seconds and multiply by four to determine the heart rate. The most appropriate time to measure the heart rate is just after waking up.
An abnormal heart rate is when the heart either beats too fast or too slow. It could also beat irregularly without a definite rhythm. These are termed Arrhythmias .
A few common types of abnormal heart rates are:
You can develop one, most or all of the following symptoms when you do not have a normal heart rate. These are:
You must see the heart doctor when you do not have a normal heart rate. Medical help must be sought in either a very increased heart rate that is more than 100 beats per minute or a very decreased heart rate that is less than 60 beats per minute. You must also visit the doctor immediately if you feel dizzy or develop shortness of breath.
Also Read : Normal Oxygen Level In Human Body
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Various factors affect the normal heart rate. These include
Many risk factors can be attributed to an abnormal heart rate. They are:
Many serious complications arise from an abnormal heart rate. You could develop a cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation. You could also develop heart failure due to prolonged bradycardia or tachycardia.
Lifestyle changes can lower your normal heart rate. Various lifestyle modifications can be employed, such as:
It is, therefore, essential to maintain a normal heart rate. This can be achieved by staying healthy and eating healthy. This is essential because you would get the maximum benefits when your heart rate is normal.
Blood pressure and heart rate are completely different. Blood pressure refers to the force of the blood against the blood vessels. A heart rate is the simple measurement of the pulse per minute. Therefore, a faster pulse would not mean higher blood pressure.
Approximately the highest heart rate for an individual can be calculated by subtracting the age from 220. Therefore, a 60-year-old can have the highest heart rate of 160 beats per minute.
You can also learn the maximum heart rate with a particular exercise called the graded exercise test that assesses blood and oxygen supply during exercise.
A trained athlete has a heart rate of 30 to 40 beats per minute. It is a low resting heart rate because a trained athlete exercises and strengthens the heart muscles. This lets the heart pump a larger volume of blood with each beat.
MD, DM (CARD. MUMBAI), FRCP (LOND & GLASG), FACC, FSCAI (USA), FESC, FAPSIC, FICC, FCSI, FISE, FIAE, FISC, Sr. Consultant Cardiologist , Director of Interventional Cardiology, Advisor to Deaprtment of Cardiology , Apollo Hospitals, Bhubaneswar
March 8, 2023