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Resting Heart Rate FAQ

resting heart rate measurementA normal resting heart rate can range anywhere from 40 to 100 beats per minute. We have a chart generally relating resting heart rate and fitness level for different age groups. There are many factors other than fitness which may account for variations in heart rate such as medications, illness and stress. Below are some common questions about resting heart rate.

If you have any concerns at all about the functioning of your heart, you should consult a doctor who can examine you personally and give expert opinion.


What are the causes of a low resting heart rate (bradycardia) ?

  • You may may calculated your heart rate incorrectly. See detailed information on how and when to measure resting heart rate.
  • You may be extremely fit. Fitter people often have a low resting heart rate, as the heart gets more efficient at pumping blood around the body, so at rest more blood can be pumped around with each beat, therefore less beats per minute are needed. See the heart rate and fitness chart.
  • A medication you are on may have caused your heart rate to slow. Some medicines that may slow the heart include those for treating heart problems or high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics, and digoxin.
  • Heart diseases that damage the heart's electrical system, such as coronary artery disease, heart attack, and infections such as endocarditis and myocarditis. There are also conditions that can slow the electrical impulses through the heart, such as having a low thyroid level or an electrolyte imbalance.

What are the causes of a high resting heart rate (tachycardia) ?

  • You may not be fully rested. Resting heart rate is ideally taken after a few minutes upon waking while still lying in bed. See detailed information on how and when to measure resting heart rate.
  • You may may calculated your heart rate incorrectly. See detailed information on how and when to measure resting heart rate.
  • You are stressed or have high blood pressure.
  • You are drinking too much coffee or other caffeinated drinks.
  • Lifestyle factors such as heavy consumption of alcohol and smoking can result in a high resting heart rate.
  • You may have a fever or other illness. Some diseases and congenital heart defects may cause an elevated heart rate. There are also conditions that can increase the electrical impulses through the heart, such as having a high thyroid level or an electrolyte imbalance.
  • A medication you are on may have caused your heart rate to be elevated. An elevated heart rate is a side effect of some drugs, also some recreational drugs like cocaine can also increase heart rate.

My resting heart rate is outside of the normal range - what should I do?

  • Don't panic.
  • Make sure you are measuring your resting heart rate correctly. See detailed information on how and when to measure resting heart rate.
  • Takeseveral measures, over several days, to ensure you have a consistent level.
  • If you are still concerned, seek expert medical opinion. Don't rely on comments and feedback here as medical advice.

If you have any concerns about your heart, you should be asking your doctor who can take a full history, examine you and give expert opinion. Don't rely on comments and feedback here as medical advice.

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Old Comments

  • I am a 15 year old female and I was sitting in my room and I felt like my heart was pumping out of my chest. And I got like REALLY hot. I took my pulse and it was 93 bpm. Is this normal?! Or should I see my doctor. Oh and heart disease runs in my family so I am worried. (from 15 Year Old Girl, Apr 2013)
  • I am a lazy , smoking 53 year old female and my resting h/b is between 80 and 105. I am not fat. should I be worried?
  • My boyfriend who is 66 yrs old has COPD and is on oxygen 24/ he also has a very badd heart. He has been told by his heart specialist is unoperatable.  Lately he has been extremely tired...sleeps most of the day and I take his oxygen level with the meter it shows 90 oxygen level and 104 sometimes 111 for his heart rate.  My question is ..What should his normal heart rate be? (from Teriann, Apr 2013)
  • Just recovering from some type of a stomach/intestinal virus and was wondering what my RHR was, so I did the measurement this morning. Turns out to be 79, but then again, I haven't really eaten anything in in the last 72 hours due to the aforementioned ailment. RHR was 56, but that was more than 20 years ago. Will have to check this later once I'm back on my normal diet and sleep patterns and all. Oh, and I'm 50 now. (from Lee A., Apr 2013)
  • I'm 21 year old woman my resting heart rate is 56 i went to the doctor today and found out i have syncope heart failure and will have to have a pacemaker in my chest. (from Sara b, Apr 2013)
  • 23 yrs old female 5'6" 140 lbs. Resting heart rate in high 90s at home and 130 or more at work which is very stressful as I am a dog groomer (from janelle, Apr 2013)
  • 62bpm I'm 25y.o 6'4 weigh 115kgs (about 25kg overweight) I've recently lost 17kg (due to a big diet change not exercise) and tested heart rate in the morning before I got out of bed. I usually get a resting rate at 74bpm throughout the day. Don't tell me if I'm going to die. I just don't wanna know :D (from Harry.G, Mar 2013)
  • Hello, I'm curious. I am a 19 year old female and my resting heart rate is up to 130 (I had my doctor check it for me). She wants to send my to a Cardiologist and I'm having second thoughts? (from Laken, Mar 2013)
  • Hi. I'm 25. Overweight and never excersise. My testing heart rate (just after woken up) is usually 63.  I know too low a heart hate can be bad. Is this about right? (from JM, Mar 2013)
  • I am a 70 old male just had a Holter monitor on for 24hours heart rate dropped to 31 BPM whilst having morning tea.Normally between  37 and 41.(from Roy, Mar 2013)
  • sir i'm 23 year old and my  heart count was 73  ...n sometime i faced breathing problem..do i need to worry ? (from vipin, Mar 2013)
  • my heart pulse rate 49 bpm, my weigt is 73 kg, hieght is 173 cm and doctor asked to contact cardiologist should i worried? (from ravindra, Mar 2013)
  • I have recently been taking amitriptyline for back pain.  I noticed that my resting pulse rate has increased to 80+.  Prior to taking the medication my pulse rate was between 60 and 70.  I hope my rate will return to normal now that I have stopped taking the medication. (from Rosalie, Mar 2013)
  • I suffer severe anxiety ,somme Times mi resting heart is above 100 bpm. Starting monday nô more cigs and exercise . I hope to get in chape with à lower RHR Soon (from Wyatt, Mar 2013)
  • I am 25 yrs old and I'm anthlete but I have panic disorder sometimes I feel that my heart beats are not normal and I feel like my heart is popping out of my chest and my bpm is 54. i dont know if its bad or not. (from Hooman, Mar 2013)
  • I'm in my office at the moment at the school where I teach studio art. My heartbeat is currently 42. (from Mike, Mar 2013)
  • I am a 25 year old male and am 5'10" and weigh ~280. I ve played sports my whole life so I've exercised more than your average 280 pound person. My RHR is usually between 54-60. Seems low. I've recently developed high anxiety so I am constantly checking my pulse but believe my RHR was never this low. Whenever I go to the doctor's my pulse is severely elevated due to my anxiety so I never get an accurate RHR from my visits (from Brian, Mar 2013)
  • I am an 89 year old male, my sitting heat rate with a recently implanted pacemaker is 55 to 59.  do I need to bring it up, what is your advise? (from Bud Clark, Mar 2013)
  • I dont feel well, my resting heart rate is 88..feels so wierd! I am 47 yrs old. Been thinking something is wrong and every time I go to one of my doctors, my blood pressure is over 150/90. One time it was 170/103. I am on pain meds and meds for fatigue. I think the comb. Is bad for me. I'm going to go off or cut down i think.. and I also think it's time to call my doctor and see what he wants me to do.  I'm going with my gut on this one! (from Barb AZ, Mar 2013)
  • Hello I'm 21 years old and I read my pulse, and i got a 42 bpm,I work for my father and I had an argument with him because by accident I pressed sent on an email instead of pressing space (wtf i know), but i felt dizzy and a dull pain in my chest after about 40 minutes i had a bpm of 58, Is that not normal? I just rested till I felt better it seemed to work, but i feel very tired. (from Shadobie, Mar 2013)
  • My resting heart rate about 50 when I was regularly exercising.  I got injured and I haven't exercised in 4 months and I gained about 15lbs.  Now my resting heart rate is 90.  Can this amount of change beattributable to the weight gain and lack of exercise?  Is it really that volatile, or is there something deeper at play here? (from Dyronne Luarca, Mar 2013)
  • I am a 63 year old woman. I am not an athlete but I walk 2 miles most days. I was told by my ophthalmologist that my heart rate is 55 and I may have bradycardia which is preventing me from getting my cataract surgery scheduled. I just took it and it was 61. I am scheduled to see my doctor, but I am feeling like this is much ado about nothing. (from Marta Thrasher, Mar 2013)
  • Hi, I'm 19 and I did a pulse rate/ heart rate, and its 84 at resting, sometimes i'd feel dizzy and my leg would be in horrible pain or a dull like "blood vessel" type feel. I've switched my diet completely into in cooperating more fruits and veggies and watching salt. its been almost a month. Should I regulate my salt intake even more? Do any of you know or can help me? I've have pre-high blood pressure recorded on my health records  and I want to drop it down to a healthy pressure! I want my heart to relax! haha (from sally, Mar 2013)
  • I am a 49 year old average woman, do not excercise (scared too!), try to eat healthy but still eat too many carbs. I drink a beer or glass of wine a night, and do not smoke.  My resting heart rate flucuates between 75 and has been into the low 100's.  Please help!! (from jmm, Mar 2013)
  • I'm 32 years old, with a rest heart rate of 87, wtf is wrong with me! (from Partha Majumder, Mar 2013)
  • 45 years old, 6'1' and 180 lbs. with a resting heart rate of 52. I lift weights, do yoga, walk, and meditate. 6 months ago I quit cigs, weed, and alcohol. I eat a whole foods, mostly vegetarian diet with a ton of vegetables and healthy fats. No dairy, no processed foods, and no gluten. (from Eric, Mar 2013)
  • I'm 18 year old female who's resting heart rate is 90.  I don't regularly exercise but I do lead somewhat of an active lifestyle.  I'm 5'4" and about 120 lbs.  I usually have low blood pressure and a high pulse.  Is this normal? (from Emily, Mar 2013)
  • I'm a 23 yr old female, I get a work out in my job, I'm on my feet all day, I lift and carry adults, walk all the time. I eat healthy, I weigh 125 at 5'7...my three is at 90... What the hell (from i think i have a problem, Mar 2013)
  • I am 50 years old and my haert rate is ranging between  44 - 50 , what is my health status, I do walking and running everyday atleast an hour a day (from Tommy A. Tuliao, Mar 2013)
  • I'm a 16 year old female and my resting heart rate is around 94 bpm, should I be worried? (from shannon, Mar 2013)
  • I am a female 21 years of age. 155cm and 45kg I don't exercise at all really because I work nearly every day. Today I was at a smorgasbord and ate a lot after I finished I stayed sitting for a while after and then checked my pulse and it was around 105bpm whilst my parents heartrate was in the 60-70bpm .. Is this bad? (from Adele, Feb 2013)
  • I'm female, 48 and about 80 kilos. I don't exercise at all. My resting heart rate has always been around 72 bpm. My pulse rate is suddenly around the 59 bpm mark. Why is this? It's never been low before. No dizziness or other symptoms though. Nothing has changed except I've gone from about 74 kilos to 80 kilos. (from Robby, Feb 2013)
  • I'm 38 and my resting heart rate since I was a kid was always around 89-105 beats per minute. I have spot on perfect blood pressure always. All levels are great, including cholesterol and triglycerides, etc. Should I even be concerned? I'm trying to figure out if I need to change my Heart rate monitor settings for when I exercise. (from Serenstar, Feb 2013)
  • where are the goalies they should be on the list they are one if the most important players ever (from bobby, Feb 2013)
  • I am 19yrs old, i work out 5 times a week and eat healthy with very little carbs and fat. My resting heart rate is normally 92-105. I have always been active my whole life with vigrous intensity activities. When reading standard charts for age and predicited heart rate expectations there are other factors to consider. For example i am on adhd medication(ritalin) and anti-depressants (zolfot and wellbrutin) this can effect your rest heart rate dramatically. Overall it is important to consider other contributing factors (From Samm, Feb, 2013)
  • I'm a 28 year old female. I am 5'7" and 123 lbs. I eat healthy and exercise 3-4 times a week. My resting heart rate is 56-68 (it's generally in the high 50's after laying in bed for 10 minutes or more). Generally I have no symptoms, but occasionally I feel tired and lightheaded and my heat rate drops down to 53-55. I've had an EKG done and it came back normal. Should I be concerned? (from Jennifer, Feb 2013)
  • im 29 ... Female .weigh 192lbs . with a resting heart rate of 52... im not fit fit.. do go to the gym 3-4 times a week.  the doctor recently found i had a heart murmur ...when i went to A and E with chest pains, been getting chest pains for the past 6weeks... got a cardiology appointment in 4weeks...alittle worried as my pulse was around 72 when at hospital and it seems to be decreaseinh everyday. (from Sarah, Feb 2013)
  • sir, i m 42 yrs old(F).having sudden SVT since last 15 yrs. at first it happens 10-15 mins. bt from last 1-2 yrs it is occures for 1-5 hrs. but on 14/02/2013 it lasting about 18 hrs.that time ECG detect p=168/min; bp=systolic 80...when it is occurs at that time i feel big stress,slight pain in my neck & shoulder..but not any kinds 0f breathing problem or heart pain normally...i want to know what types of medicine i take during SVT time for relief..?? (i wouldn't use medicine on regular basis) (from Madhumita Ghanty, Feb 2013)
  • I started a new high blood pressure med.Edarbi 80 mg 1 daily beginning 09/22/2012. Since than my resting heart has increased. My heart rate is consistently between 95 to 110. I am also on a neutralizer med. irpatropium bromide 0.5mg. Could the asthma med. and the Edarbi be the cause of the elevated heart rate (from Lorraine, Feb 2013)
  • I'm no doctor, but if you want to lower your resting heart rate you should focus on increasing your red blood cell count.  Pearl divers and mountain dwellers do this without excessive excercise by training "I use the word loosely" in a low oxygen environment thus acclimatizing on a cellular level.  Checkout David Blaine's TED Talk: how I held my breath for 17 minutes. (from Stefan, Feb 2013)
  • For a few years my resting heart rate has been in the mid 50's this month I noticed an increase to 60-70, then I caught a cold/flu for about a week, I am well now, but my resting hear rate is still 60-70, what could be going on? (from Egar, Feb 2013)
  • I always have low blood pressure always on 100/70 then my pulse always on 109 that's been going for almost 6 months. There was one time i take a hot shower and my heart beat so fast i was so scary im running out of breath and feel like vomiting. Any case like this pls tell me? And what do you think this is? Thanks. (from Khat, Jan 2013)
  • My heart rate was off the chart. Waited 10 mins and it came down 12 points.  I'm 56 and in very good health GENERALLY! Right now I have bronchitis and had just had a terrible coughing fit! So, of course, this doesn't give an accurate account of my general health. Many factors impact pulse. This site plainly says RESTING heart rate. If you are anxious it will elevate ... So relax, take a deep breath and track your pulse for a few days ... average it and get a better idea of what it is. (from Ellen, Jan 2013)
  • I smoke weed, I'm athmatic, I hardly exercise at all and my resting heart rate is 52, should I be worried? Age 18, 6ft, 10.5 stone. (from Jayk, Jan 2013)
  • I am 50 years old, have a BMI of 25 and exercise regularly.  My resting pulse is normally measured at 38 to 40.  My normally measured BP is 135/80.  I have had dizzy spells if standing too fast, loss of memory, reduction of intellectual clarity and fatigue several times a day.  Please provide advice. (from Robert, Jan 2013)
  • I recently turned 20 my resting heartbeat is 94-96.. i dont know if thats normal ... I weigh 105 I exercise and rarely go eat outside food. When i get mad/frustrated/pressured (to an extent.. ex school, home, work etc) my left arm starts hurting.. i dont know what could be wrong.. anyone have a clue?! (from alo, Jan 2013)
  • I have a nine year old (Kate) and her resting Heart Beat is 120 on her best days it has been monitored at 180. He is not a sporty gal, but she is a busy thin short gal. She has had this problem since she was 7, and we try to just self sooth to help her to calm down. We also have the dizzy spells and the fatigue even fainting. At School this can be a problem, but she is good to listen to he body. In fact she will come to us and say "My heart is hurting will you feel it"? She is our lovely little spirited gal.. BUT :) She has a little problem, wondering if anyone else has thing problem, She can not get to sleep easily. sometime it is 2 am and she is still up (even after taking Melatonin). Does anyone else have that problem? I think her heart is still going so fast that she just can't find rest. :( (from LeaAnne (Katies Mom) Larsen, Jan 2013)
    • TO:  LeaAnne (Katies Mom) Larsen. Wish I could email this to you, but I hope you read this. I'm not a doctor, but your little girl sounds just like me. I have always had a very high resting heart rate, to the extent of sometimes being uncomfortable (today being a very good example.) I also could never fall asleep as a child. The reason, or so I've been told, is because I have ADHD. Multiple doctors have told me I simply have a high metabolism, hence the high heart rate. The not being able to sleep thing is a result of the ADHD as well. It can be very difficult for people with ADHD to calm their minds/bodies enough to fall asleep, and stay asleep. I know people tend to shun medicating children for ADHD, but I urge you to get your daughter tested. Even if she's doing ok in school, medicine might help her reach her full potential, as well as helping her sleep at night. (from Emily, Feb 2013)
  • I'm 6 weeks pregnant and I'm layibg on the couch and I can feel my heart beating fast. My pluse is 97 beats pre minute. Should I be worried? (from katie, Jan 2013)
  • I am 29 my weight is 75 my bpm is 80 is any problum with me i am smooker too i have no activity i am government employee and i spend my all day in office what should i do to low my bpm help me out plz (from dnan, Dec 2012)
  • Everyone who has commented please talk to doctors and use google. between 60-100 is normal for Adults. Low blood pressure is typically not worrisome unless it causes problems.  If you are in your teens a higher pulse rate isn't that worrisome. If you are worried, talk to your doctors and educate yourselves :) (from Jodi, Dec 2012)
  • Hello, I notice my heart rate is fine when I check it myself. When I go to the Dr. my heart rate increase, I was told I have the white coat syndrome. My heart rate at the Doctors office range between 120-142 My Dr. prescribed me Metoprolol to lower my heart rate. I was taking it faithfully then stoped to make sure everything was okay, and it was ranging between 62-82. I am a little over weight, just wondering how long will I have to take this medication especially with my EKG coming back normal. Who has taken Metoprolol and got off by a doctor due lower heart rate and a lifestyle change? (from T. Woods, Dec 2012)
  • My heart rate fluctuates between 88 - 120bpm.  I have marfans syndrome and with that a floppy mitral valve.  Doctor said nothing to worry about.  Should I be concerned? (from tilly, Dec 2012)

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