Most changes in heart rate (pulse too fast or slow) are physiological - it reacts to stress, physical effort, and changes with age. In certain situations, this is an important signal that indicates health problems. Therefore, it is necessary to know what a pulse is and how to measure it. Proper heart rate and blood pressure are critical to human life.

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What is pulse?

Pulse, or heart rate, is the contraction and stretching of blood vessels depending on the work of the heart. This measures the heart rate (HR), equal to the number of beats per minute, the interval between them and symmetry (the heart rate on the left side of the body should be the same as on the right).

Pulse and blood pressure are the most important parameters that reflect the condition of the heart. A higher frequency occurs after exercise or as a result of strong emotions, and a lower frequency occurs during rest and sleep. A persistently accelerated rhythm is a sign of circulatory problems and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. This is an important symptom of diseases of other organs (lungs, thyroid gland) or a side effect after taking certain medications.

The pulse depends on the contraction of the heart and the elasticity of blood vessels. The physical form of a person influences the heart rate. People who exercise regularly tend to have a lower heart rate.

The slower the rhythm, the lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, but too low indicates a health problem. A fast heart rate is associated with high blood pressure.

How to measure your heart rate

You can measure your heart rate yourself; you should do it after resting or in the morning after waking up. E Motion and exercise will influence the result.

To check the pulse, you need to feel the carotid artery on your left hand with the index and middle fingers of your right hand. When you feel the rhythm, you need to turn on the stopwatch and count the beats for 15 seconds. Then the result is multiplied by 4. This will be the heart rate indicator.



The pulse is determined on a person's wrists.

Heart rate can be determined using a blood pressure meter (tonometer), most models have this function.



Rapid pulse (98-102 beats per minute) - normal or pathological?

Standard heart rate

The normal heart rate differs depending on age. Typically, the average heart rate is:

1. 1. 110–150 beats per minute in the fetus and newborn.
2. 2. 130 beats in infants.
3. 3. 100 beats per minute in children.
4. 4. 85 beats in adolescents and young adults.
5. 5. 70 beats per minute in adults.
6. 6. 55–60 beats in older people.

These are averages. For adults, a very high heart rate level is used: from 60 to 100.

A pulse of 50–60 beats per minute in a physically active person aged 50 years or older indicates that the body is normal. You should pay attention to unusual behavior of the heart. If a young person whose average heart rate is about 80 beats per minute suddenly drops to 62-64 beats or feels unwell, he should urgently visit a GP. In case of fainting, you must call an ambulance.

If several rhythm measurements in a row show that the pulse is too slow or too fast, you should tell your doctor. If necessary, he will refer you for additional research.

If your heart rate is above 90 beats per minute and is combined with other symptoms (rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, anxiety, chronic fatigue), it is better to consult a specialist. The cause may be related to a cardiac, circulatory or endocrine disease. At the moment of excitement, tension and intense exercise, there is no point in measuring the pulse; its frequency can increase significantly, which is the norm.

Individuals who exercise regularly have lower heart rates than those who avoid exercise. The lowest heart rate (which was not a symptom of the disease) was observed in the cyclist - his result was only 20 beats per minute.



What affects heart rate

The ideal heart rate for an adult is 60–70 beats per minute at rest, that is, during normal daily activities. During menopause, women's heart rate is slightly higher than men's.

The pulse depends on the time of day. During the first three hours after waking up, the heart rate increases, then falls, after lunch it increases again, and during sleep it reaches 40 beats per minute. Therefore, it is best to always measure your pulse at the same time.

An important symptom is irregular heartbeat. If more than 100 beats per minute are observed, this is a sign of tachycardia. There is shortness of breath and dizziness. To help yourself, you should open a window, allow fresh air in, and take a few deep breaths. Then drink a glass of cold water. If the condition does not return to normal, you must call an ambulance.

Many factors affect the number of heartbeats, so the cause of a fast heartbeat can vary. Pulse pressure increases due to stress, fever, alcohol, cigarettes and dehydration. Tachycardia is associated with thyroid problems, heart disease, certain mineral deficiencies (potassium, calcium or magnesium) and respiratory failure.

Bradycardia is too low heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute. Although such a pulse does not cause suspicion in athletes, for other people it is a symptom of cardiac diseases, hypothyroidism, hypokalemia or neurological conditions. Bradycardia indicates metabolic pathologies associated with increased intracranial pressure (brain tumor) and problems with the nervous system.

During exercise, the heart rate increases, but should not be excessive. Your maximum heart rate (HRmax) is a limit that should not be exceeded during intense exercise. It can be calculated using the following formula: HRmax (pulsation factor) = 220 - age. The optimal frequency during exercise is 90–126 beats per minute. For a 40-year-old person during exercise, the maximum heart rate is 180 beats.

Why does the heart beat unevenly?

There can be many reasons for heart rhythm disturbances - from natural (great physical effort, stress, fear) to diseases that need to be diagnosed and treated:

• Hypertension. A condition in which blood pressure is above 139/89 mm Hg. Art. This is facilitated by excess weight, alcohol abuse, strong coffee and tea, and large amounts of salty foods. A healthy lifestyle and medications (if necessary) normalize blood pressure and thereby reduce the heart rate.
• Diabetes. Fasting blood glucose levels should not exceed 100 mg/dL. It becomes thicker and circulates more slowly, making it harder for the heart to pump it. Even a small but persistent excess of blood sugar speeds up the rhythm by several beats per minute. Therefore, you need to undergo examinations once a year. And in the case of diabetes, be under the supervision of a doctor, follow the dosage, time of taking medications and diet.
• Excess cholesterol. If it exceeds 190 mg/dl, it settles on the walls of blood vessels, narrows them and impedes blood circulation. To pump enough blood, the heart must work harder, causing the heart rate to speed up. If atherosclerosis has not been diagnosed, you need to follow a diet, replace animal fats with vegetable fats, reduce the amount of red meat, fatty dairy products and eggs in the diet, and eat more vegetables and fruits.
• Sports activities. You can adjust your heart rate with physical exercise. Every effort speeds up your heart rate. Regular exercise develops the heart muscle. The best forms of physical fitness that improve the condition and functioning of the circulatory system are aerobic training. This is a great way to develop your breathing and heart rate (by cycling or brisk walking). At the same time, a sufficient amount of oxygen is supplied to the blood. A trained heart in a tense state works slower and more economically.
• Healthy eating. Some foods and drinks (such as tea, energy drinks, yellow cheese) promote the production of hormones called adrenaline and norepinephrine. They increase blood pressure and speed up the heart rate.
• Moderate alcohol consumption. Although alcohol has an anxiolytic effect and lowers heart rate, drinking too much (especially during a hangover) causes the heart to beat faster.
• Quitting smoking. Each cigarette increases blood pressure by 10–15 mmHg. Art. and speeds up the heart rate by 8–10 beats per minute.

An accelerated pulse can indicate various diseases. A high heart rate indicates hyperthyroidism, lung disease or bronchial diseases (including asthma), as well as calcium, potassium, magnesium deficiency, and anemia caused by heavy menstruation. In this case, it is worth contacting your doctor for research (including tests for morphology, electrolytes and thyroid hormones). Based on their results, you can establish a preliminary diagnosis and contact a specialist - an endocrinologist or pulmonologist.

Pulse rate is an important indicator in assessing heart function. Its determination is a component in the diagnosis of arrhythmia and other diseases, sometimes quite serious. This publication discusses methods for measuring pulse, norms by age in adults and children, and factors influencing its change.

What is pulse?

The pulse is the vibration of the vascular walls that occurs as a result of contractions of the heart muscles. This indicator allows you to evaluate not only the strength and rhythm of the heartbeat, but also the condition of the blood vessels.

In a healthy person, the intervals between pulsations should be the same, but the unevenness of heartbeats is regarded as a symptom of disorders in the body - this can be either a heart pathology or another disease, for example, a malfunction of the endocrine glands.

Pulse is measured by the number of pulse waves, or beats, per minute and has certain values ​​- in adults it is from 60 to 90 at rest. The pulse rate in children is slightly different (the indicators are presented in the table below).

The pulse is measured by the beats of pulsating blood in the radial artery, most often on the inside of the wrist, since the vessel in this place is located closest to the skin. For greatest accuracy, the indicators are recorded on both hands.

If there are no rhythm disturbances, then it is enough to count the pulse for 30 seconds and multiply it by two. If the heart beats are irregular, then it is more advisable to count the number of pulse waves in a whole minute.

In more rare cases, counting is carried out in places where other arteries pass - brachial, femoral, subclavian. You can measure your pulse by placing your fingers on your neck at the site of the carotid artery or on your temple.

If a thorough diagnosis is necessary, for example, if serious diseases are suspected, then other examinations are performed to measure the pulse - Voltaire mount (counting per day), ECG.

The so-called treadmill test is also used, when the work of the heart and blood pulsation are recorded by an electrocardiograph while the patient moves on a treadmill. This test also shows how quickly the functioning of the heart and blood vessels returns to normal after physical activity.

What affects heart rate values?

If the normal pulse rate in women and men at rest remains within the range of 60-90, then for many reasons it may temporarily increase or acquire slightly increased constant values.

This is affected by age, physical activity, food intake, changes in body position, temperature and other environmental factors, stress, and the release of hormones into the blood. The number of pulse waves occurring per minute always depends on the number of heart contractions (abbr. HR) during the same time.

Typically, the normal pulse rate in men is 5-8 beats lower than in women (60-70 per minute). Normal indicators differ in children and adults, for example, in a newborn child, a pulse of 140 beats is considered normal, but for an adult this is tachycardia, which can be either a temporary functional state or a sign of a disease of the heart or other organs. Heart rate also depends on daily biorhythms and is highest between 15:00 and 20:00.

Table of heart rate norms by age for women and men

The table of blood pressure and heart rate norms by age shows values ​​for healthy people at rest. Any changes in the body can provoke a deviation of the heart rate from these indicators in one direction or another.

For example, women experience physiological tachycardia and a slight increase in blood pressure, which is associated with changes in hormonal levels.

When is your heart rate high?

In the absence of pathological changes affecting the heart rate, the pulse may increase under the influence of physical activity, be it intense work or sports. The following factors can also increase it:

• stress, emotional impact;
• overwork;
• hot weather, stuffy indoors;
• severe pain.

With a functional increase in heart rate, there is no shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches or chest pains, there is no darkness in the eyes, the heartbeat remains within the maximum normal range and returns to its normal value within 5-7 minutes after cessation of exposure.

Pathological tachycardia is spoken of if there is any disease, for example:

• pathologies of the heart and blood vessels (for example, rapid pulse in hypertensive patients, people with coronary artery disease);
• arrhythmia;
• nervous pathologies;
• heart defects;
• presence of tumors;
• infectious diseases, fever;
• hormonal disorders;
• anemia;
• (menorrhagia).

A slight increase in the number of pulse waves is observed in pregnant women. In children, functional tachycardia is normal, observed during active games, sports and other activities and allows the heart to adapt to changing conditions.

An increase in heart rate, and therefore a high pulse, is observed in adolescents with. During this period, it is important to pay close attention to any changes - chest pain, the slightest shortness of breath, dizziness and other symptoms are a reason to show the child to the doctor, especially if there are diagnosed heart diseases.

What is bradycardia?

If tachycardia is an increase in heart rate, then bradycardia is its low levels compared to the norm (less than 60 pulsations per minute). Depending on the causes, it can be functional or pathological.

In the first case, the pulse is reduced during sleep and in trained people - among professional athletes, even 40 beats are considered as the norm. For example, for cyclist Lance Armstrong it is in the range of 35-38 pulsations.

A decrease in heart rate can also be a manifestation of heart and vascular diseases - heart attack, age-related pathological changes, inflammation of the heart muscle. This is cardiac bradycardia, caused in most cases by a disturbance in the conduction of impulses between the nodes of the heart. In this case, the tissues are poorly supplied with blood, and oxygen starvation develops.

Associated symptoms may include weakness, dizziness, fainting, cold sweat, and blood pressure instability.

Bradycardia also develops as a result of hypothyroidism, gastric ulcers, myxedema, and increased intracranial pressure. Bradycardia of less than 40 beats is considered severe; this condition often causes the development of heart failure.

If the beat rate is reduced and no cause is found, then the bradycardia is called idiopathic. There is also a medicinal form of this disorder, when the pulse decreases after taking pharmacological drugs, for example, Diazepam, Phenobarbital, Anaprilin, tincture of valerian or motherwort.

With age, the heart and blood vessels wear out, become weaker, and pulse deviations from the norm are diagnosed in many people after 45-50 years. Often this is not only a physiological feature, but also a symptom of serious changes in the functioning of organs. Therefore, during this age period, it is especially important to regularly visit a cardiologist and other specialists to monitor and treat existing diseases and timely identify new health problems.

Pulse examination has become a routine examination, which is often neglected in medical practice. Most people find it unnecessary and uninformative. This is a big misconception. A correctly performed technique can indicate the presence/absence of heart disease, inflammatory processes in the body, problems with blood pressure and many other pathologies.

Of course, the method is not specific enough to determine a specific diagnosis. But in order to navigate the state of health, it is optimal.

What is pulse

These are transfer vibrations of blood vessels that occur under the influence of blood flow. Let's look at an example. The heart constantly pumps blood. Passing through the arteries and veins, it seems to hit their wall, encountering a certain resistance. By placing our hand on any superficial artery, we feel these “beats” and can evaluate their characteristics:

• Frequency. How many vibrations per minute does the wall of a certain vessel make?
• Synchronicity. Is the pulsation the same on symmetrical areas (wrists, hips, etc.)?
• Regularity. Does the rhythm jump or do the beats occur evenly?
• Voltage . Is the artery easily compressed? Can you feel the resistance of its walls?

Experienced doctors can find out a number of additional qualities, such as filling, shape, presence of deficiency/surplus, etc. However, the above symptoms are sufficient for initial diagnosis.

Pulse rate

For each of the listed signs there are normal values. Only one of them depends on age - frequency. The rest are universal in nature for all people. To determine them, it is not necessary to contact a specialist - how to measure the pulse yourself will be discussed in detail below.

Frequency

One of the most informative and simplest characteristics that can be easily studied at home. There are two ways to measure your heart rate:

Classical

– finger pressure of the artery on the arm. To do this, the subject must extend his arms and bend them slightly at the elbow, completely relax and not talk. To get the correct result, it is necessary to exclude active movements, food and caffeine before measurement. The left limb should be clasped with the right hand at the wrist. On the opposite side the algorithm is similar. Thanks to this simple movement, your fingers will be directly on the vessel and feel its pulsation. Strikes are counted over 60 seconds.

The frequency can be assessed on different parts of the body: neck, hips, feet, etc. But traditionally it is believed that this is most convenient to do on the upper limb. The study is carried out in other areas only if arterial obstruction is suspected;

Auto

There are special devices that can determine the frequency: pulse oximeters (worn on the finger); bracelets that measure pulse; electronic blood pressure monitors; smart watches with the corresponding function and others. Their accuracy is somewhat less than with the classical method, but sufficient for conducting research.

After counting the number of blows using any of the methods, it is necessary to evaluate the result obtained. To do this, it is necessary to correlate it with the average values ​​​​that are recommended by doctors.

The normal heart rate by age is presented in the table:

A one-time study is not enough to assess health status. It is important to evaluate this indicator over time, since a single deviation from the norm can occur due to a large number of reasons not related to diseases. If a person constantly has a slow or rapid pulse, this is a reason to think about the cause of this condition.

Other characteristics

When examining pulse waves, one should not only take into account the frequency with which they follow each other, but also how they do it. Additional information about the condition of a person and his cardiovascular system can be obtained by assessing:

In order to suspect a disease, it is enough to detect changes in the listed indicators once. They rarely deviate from the normal human pulse in physiological conditions, in contrast to frequency. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to all the signs together.

Reasons for deviation from the norm

Depending on the state of human health, there are 2 groups of factors that can change the nature of pulse waves. The first are physiological, in which there are no pathologies in the body that affect blood flow. If the disturbances arose as a result of illness, we are talking about the action of a pathological cause.

Physiological reasons

The action of these factors can lead to a deviation in the pulse rate, both towards a decrease and a significant increase. Typically, these signs occur only during the action of a specific provoking agent. After its effects cease, blood flow should gradually return to normal levels. The average normalization time is 15-40 minutes.

What are the causes of increased heart rate? These are any processes that require additional energy from the body or stimulate the functioning of the circulatory system. These should include:

• Any physical/mental stress. Stress, lifting heavy objects, fast walking, climbing stairs, etc. – all these conditions are accompanied by increased consumption of nutrients and accelerated blood flow;
• Digestion of food– at this time, a large number of internal organs (digestive glands, stomach, liver, pancreas, etc.) are actively working. In order to provide them with energy, the body creates increased blood flow to the tissues;
• Drinking certain drinks(coffee, Coca-Cola, energy drinks) - these liquids contain caffeine, which activates the work of the heart, blood vessels and part of the smooth muscle cells;
• Drinking alcohol - by dilating blood vessels, alcoholic drinks force the heart to work harder, increasing the number of beats per minute;
• Smoking - nicotine is a kind of stimulant for the walls of arteries/veins, which causes them to contract. This leads to a temporary increase in the intensity of blood flow and pressure (for 20-30 minutes).

The heartbeat, and therefore the pulsation of the arteries, can slow down in states of complete relaxation: during sleep (natural and induced), relaxation procedures, physiotherapy, prolonged static posture (lying or sitting), when performing monotonous work. To speed it up, a little physical activity or “switching” of activities is enough. Recovery occurs immediately or after a few minutes.

Pathological causes

Diseases affect not only the speed of blood flow, but also the condition of the walls of arteries, veins, and the functioning of the heart muscle. All this can lead not only to an acceleration/deceleration of the frequency, but also to a complete absence of blood flow in the arteries of the limb, its irregularity or severe tension.

Causes of elevated heart rate

Causes of low heart rate

Absence of pulse in the limb

The cause of this condition is a blocked artery in an arm or leg. Most often, they are clogged with a blood clot (thrombus) or a “fatty” plaque, which can form under the following conditions:

• Atherosclerotic disease;
• Thrombangiitis;
• Endarteritis;
• Traumatic thrombosis.

The absence of pulsation of the vessel is a dangerous symptom, if detected, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. If this is not done, the progression of the pathology will lead to the gradual death of the limb, disruption of its function and even amputation.

Irregularity

If the heart is working correctly, the blood pulses through the arteries in a certain orderly rhythm, although at a different pace. When its function is impaired, a change in blood flow occurs - it becomes irregular, jumping, chaotic. After a short delay, a series of fast waves can be detected, then another lull, etc. The presence of such changes is a reliable sign of arrhythmias. This is a whole group of diseases associated with damage to the nervous system of the heart muscle.

Only a doctor can detect them and distinguish them from each other when conducting additional examination methods, such as auscultation, ECG, ultrasound. Treatment is carried out with antiarrhythmic drugs, which are selected depending on the form of the pathology.

Determining the pulse is an important diagnostic measure that helps assess the functioning of the body. A large number of reasons can lead to its change, from various tissues and systems (endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, etc.). By examining the patient, they can be “filtered” and a significant factor can be determined, and, accordingly, the correct diagnosis.

Frequently asked questions

Question:
Are pulse and heart rate (HR) the same thing?

Not really. The first term refers to how a certain vessel pulsates, and the second refers to the rate of contraction of the heart. In a healthy person, these values ​​are the same, but with complete/partial “blockage” of the arteries, they can differ greatly.

Question:
Is the normal heart rate different for women and men?

No, doctors do not distinguish significant differences.

Question:
Does the heart rate of athletes change?

When practicing certain sports that train endurance (running, race walking, football, etc.), human tissues begin to “get used” to the lack of oxygen. Therefore, the frequency of pulse waves can be 10-15 below average. If the patient practices strength training (weightlifting), a slow heartbeat may be associated with hypertrophy of the myocardial walls.
In any case, it is recommended to undergo a preventive examination by a cardiologist.

Question:
How individual is this indicator?

Deviations of 10-20 beats/min from the average values ​​may be a variant of the norm. However, before confirming this, a full examination by a specialist is necessary.

Pulse rate is one of the main indicators by which one can draw a conclusion about the level of health and fitness of the body without preliminary diagnosis. To find out for yourself whether you are at risk, you should look at the table of a person’s normal heart rate by year and age.

At its core, the pulse represents slight vibrations of the vascular walls, which are driven by the work of the heart (i.e., rhythmic contractions of the myocardial muscles).

Ideally, the intervals between pulsations are equal, and the average values ​​at rest do not reach the upper limits. When the heart rate (HR) is disturbed, this gives reason to think about problems in the body and the presence of a serious disease.

Finger method

Vibrations of the heart muscle are usually measured by palpation using arterial beats. Basically, they use the radial one, which is located on the inside of the wrist. It is at this point that the vessel can be better palpated, since it is located as close as possible to the surface of the skin.

• If no rhythm disturbances are detected, the pulse is measured for half a minute, and the result is multiplied by 2.
• If fluctuations or irregularity are observed, the beats are counted for one minute.
• To obtain the most accurate indicator, the pulse is measured on both hands simultaneously.

In some cases, heartbeats are counted in places where other arteries are located. For example, on the chest, neck, thigh, upper arm. In young children, the pulse is measured mainly on the temporal part, since it is not always possible to feel the beats on the hand.

Hardware methods

• In addition to the finger method, you can also use special devices, for example, a heart rate monitor (chest, wrist) or an automatic blood pressure monitor. Although the latter device is more suitable for determining blood pressure.
• If a person is suspected of any disturbances in the functioning of the heart, the pulse is measured using special methods and medical equipment (ECG or 24-hour (Holter) monitoring).
• In particularly difficult cases, a treadmill test is used. A person's heart rate is measured using an electrocardiograph during physical activity. This method helps to see hidden problems at the earliest stages of the disease, as well as make a forecast about the state of the cardiovascular system in the future.

But even the most advanced methods will not give an accurate result if the pulse is measured incorrectly.

So, you cannot take measurements after the following actions:

• sudden change in body position (stand up, lie down);
• physical activity, as well as after sexual intercourse;
• emotional tension, stress;
• psychological experiences, including fear or anxiety;
• taking medications, alcohol;
• visiting a sauna, bathhouse, taking a bath;
• hypothermia.

Table: normal human pulse by year and age

It is customary to distinguish the upper and lower boundaries of the pulse. If the heart rate exceeds the first indicator, this condition is called tachycardia. It may be short-term and not cause anxiety, as with intense physical activity or feelings of fear. Prolonged tachycardia occurs when a person has disorders of the cardiovascular or endocrine systems.

If the pulse is below normal, this is also considered a deviation. This condition is called bradycardia. It can be caused by congenital heart problems, medications, reactions to infectious diseases, and even poor diet. Fortunately, all of these conditions are completely treatable or correctable.

To determine your own heart muscle contraction rates, you need to use the table below.

What should be the heart rate per minute for a healthy adult?

Heart rate depends on many factors and circumstances: age, level of physical activity, hormonal levels, surrounding air temperature, body position, fatigue, pain, etc.

At rest

Those numbers that are called normal are the pulse in a relaxed, calm state. For adults who do not have serious illnesses, this number ranges from 60 to 85 beats per minute. In exceptional situations, deviation from the “golden mean” is allowed, which is also considered the norm. For example, athletes or very trained people may have a heart rate as low as 50, while young, energetic women will have a heart rate as high as 90.

Normal heart rate during training

Since physical exercises have different degrees of intensity, it is necessary to calculate the normal heart rate in an adult during training, taking into account individual characteristics and the type of load.

With little physical activity, heart rate calculation will look like this.

1. The maximum heart rate is calculated using the formula 220 minus age (i.e. for a 32-year-old person this figure is 220 - 32 = 188).
2. Minimum heart rate is half of the previous number (188/2=94)
3. The average rate during exercise is 70% of the maximum heart rate (188*0.7=132).

With intense or high activity (running, cardio, active group games), the calculation will be slightly different. The upper limit of the heart rate is calculated in the same way, but the next two indicators are calculated differently.

1. The lower limit is 70% of the maximum (132 beats per minute).
2. The average heart rate should not exceed 85% of the upper limit (188*0.85=160).

If we summarize all the calculations, then the normal heart rate of a healthy person during adequate physical activity should not go beyond 50-85% of the upper limit of the heart rate.

When walking

The average heart rate at a normal pace of movement is 110–120 beats per minute for women, and around 100–105 beats for men. This statement is true for people of the middle age category, i.e. from 25 to 50 years old.

However, if the pace is quite agile (more than 4 km per hour), walking is carried out with weights, on an uneven surface or uphill, then the heart rate will increase.

In any case, if during movement a person does not experience signs of shortness of breath, dizziness, fog, severe weakness, pounding in the ears and other unpleasant symptoms, then any pulse, even 140 beats, will be considered normal.

Normal heart rate during sleep

During the rest period, a person’s heart rate can decrease by 8–12% of normal during wakefulness. For this reason, for men the average heart rate is 60 - 70 beats, and for women - 65 - 75.

It also happens that the heart rate, on the contrary, increases. This happens when the body is in the active sleep phase. It is during this period that a person can see dreams and nightmares.

By the way, an emotional experience in a dream can affect the heart. At the same time, not only the pulse increases, but also the pressure. If a person is abruptly awakened, he will most likely feel discomfort. This condition goes away on its own within 1 to 5 minutes.

Normal heart rate during pregnancy

In expectant mothers, the heart rate increases slightly. This is due to the fact that the vessels and heart of a pregnant woman circulate blood not only for themselves, but also for the fetus. In this case, the baby’s pressure on surrounding tissues causes vasospasm, and this also leads to a large load on the heart muscle.

One should not discount the hormonal changes that are inherent in all women during this period. Therefore, the normal heart rate during gestation is considered to be 100 – 115 beats per minute. Moreover, in the later stages of pregnancy, especially before childbirth, even severe tachycardia may be observed, which does not require treatment.

You most likely know your blood pressure readings. But do you know what your resting heart rate is? What should be the norm, and when should you be on guard? If the increase in heart rate at rest is present for a long time, this indicates too frequent heart contractions. A prolonged increase in heart rate at rest leads to heart damage. Many studies show that a lower heart rate is associated with longevity, and that a high resting heart rate is associated with a shorter lifespan. The slower a person's resting heart rate, the better for their health. A slow resting heart rate per minute is one of the indicators of physical fitness. almost 2 times slower than the heart of people not related to sports. So, what should be the normal heart rate for a healthy person? What does the acceleration of the heartbeat dynamics mean?

Normal heart rate at rest

A pulse of 60 beats per minute is ideal. Previously, a healthy heart rate was considered to be between 70 beats per minute and 80. New research has changed the ideal resting heart rate (heart rate) to a heart rate of 60. Large epidemiological studies have confirmed that longer life is associated with a lower heart rate. in 1 minute in a state of calm. Operating at low speeds provides the heart with wear resistance and durability.

Research has also shown the negative effects of an increased heart rate, which is the constant faster work of the heart muscle. People with a heart rate of 75 beats per minute or more (77 or higher) have a 3 times increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Normal for men and women

The normal heart rate of an adult in a supine position, measured immediately after waking up, is 61–72 beats/min. in men, and 67–76 beats/min. in women. The norm in women is higher due to a physiologically determined higher heart rate.

The actual number of heart beats in an adult at rest is measured during daily activities. It increases slightly, but should not exceed (at rest). When moving, you can observe an increase in rhythm - a healthy person can have a pulse of 85 beats per minute.

Indicators in a child

Heart rate in children is individual, varies, and depends on many factors. Causes of a high heart rate (as well as a low one) include physical activity or lack thereof, general health, environmental influences, and the child's current mood.

Children usually have a higher resting heart rate than adults. A newborn's heart beats 160 times/min; 12-year-old children usually have a pulse of 90–100 beats/min. The indicators for girls and boys are no different. The resting heart rate reaches adult values ​​after 15 years.

Common values:

Normal indicators for athletes

The main goal of training an athlete is to increase physical performance. Planning and overall management of training is a creative process that determines the direction and pace of development from beginner to professional.

Measurable biological variables, including resting heart rate, are important when monitoring your workout.

The indicator of how much a quiet heart rate should be is an indicator of the state of fitness. During endurance exercise, the heart enlarges and the parasympathetic system is activated, which leads to a decrease in heart contractions. Almost all professional athletes have levels of less than 50 beats per minute (most often, less than 45 beats per minute; the lowest value was recorded by M. Indurain - 28 beats per minute).

The pulsating heart rate is measured with a pulsometer or palpation on the large arteries, in the morning, after waking up, in a lying position. Normal fluctuations are 4–6 beats/min. If fluctuations exceed 8 beats/min, it is necessary to look for the reason why they increase. Major factors include illness or overtraining (in which case training should be interrupted until the condition stabilizes).

General characteristics of heart rate

The heartbeat can be felt in the neck, wrists, and groin area. It is transmitted through large arteries to each organ. If the artery passes under the surface of the skin, a pulsation can be felt. The heartbeat, reflected by the pulse in a person, is caused by the contraction of the left ventricle and is an indicator of heart rhythm.

The contractions of the heart react sensitively to the needs of the body. The main reason why the pulse quickens is represented by physical stress, because at this time the body experiences great needs for oxygen supply. Nerve impulses also affect its speed. Therefore, the pulse increases in a state of stress, fear, or when expecting something unpleasant.

Important! Under the influence of these factors, a pulse of 70 in a couple of minutes can increase to even 180 beats per minute at rest!

Heart rate develops from birth. Newborns' hearts beat at a rate of 140–180 beats/min. Increased is associated with higher requirements of the developing organism. The heart muscle is not yet prepared enough for pumping. The values ​​gradually decrease, and values ​​characteristic of an adult are measured during puberty.

Normal heart rate for an untrained person

Heart rate is the speed at which the heart contracts. It is expressed in the number of beats per minute. In a calm state, the standards are determined to be 60–90 beats/min, but for professional athletes the figure is usually half that. The factors that determine why the contraction frequency jumps are represented by increased tension, increased physical activity, and stress.

An excessively high heart rate (up to 200 beats per minute) can be a symptom of heart disease, but also has other causes. Often the disorder is caused by the use of hormonal contraception, poor lifestyle, and obesity. This condition is accompanied by a number of manifestations: a person has difficulty breathing, he suffers from excessive sweating. In such cases, it is important to consult a doctor.

Important! In people who are far from sports, the heart functions less economically and contracts faster. The frequency of contractions increases sharply even after a slight load on the body.

If you are not an active athlete and have a very low heart rate (up to 55 beats per minute), which is accompanied by difficulty breathing, severe fatigue, this may indicate a serious problem that requires contacting a doctor who will advise what to do to stabilize the condition. Minor deviations can be corrected without medication. A very low contraction rate can be solved by using a pacemaker.

In a dream

Heart rate at rest reaches its lowest values ​​during sleep, the indicators vary from person to person. During sleep, the body enters a calming phase, so the heart behaves similarly - the heart rate drops by 10-20%. After waking up and getting out of bed, the heart rate returns to normal.

Heart rate indicators according to age

The resting heart rate of an untrained adult varies somewhat depending on age - it differs between a young adult and an older person. The normal human pulse is divided into 3 groups by year:

• <35 лет;
• 35–50 years old;
• >50 years old.

Up to 35 years old

The resting heart rate for a person under 35 years of age is 60–90 beats/min. A pulse of 90 or higher is a sign of cardiac dysfunction that requires referral to a specialist.

Middle age

Before the age of 50, the average resting heart rate should be approximately 70 beats/min. As in the case above, a high resting heart rate is a reason to consult a specialist.

Old age

In older people, the number of heart beats increases slightly; the resting pulse is:

• 50–60 years – 75 beats/min;
• 60–80 years – 80 beats/min.

Important! A significant change in heart contractions in an adult at rest may indicate the possible development of the disease!

Pivot table

The table shows the average indicators for 4 age groups:

What do abnormalities in cardiac activity indicate?

The number of heartbeats is associated with a disturbance in its rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia). Physiologically, a low heart rate is common in athletes and indicates a stronger heart that can pump more blood (vagotonia).

Arrhythmia

Cardiac arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rhythm that causes disruption of its activity. For example, in a calm state the heart beats, as if running. Symptoms of arrhythmia:

• rapid heartbeat;
• feeling of cardiac arrest;
• irregular chaotic pulse;
• chest pain;
• weakness;
• fatigue;
• disturbance of consciousness;
• lack of breathing.

You can calm your pulse during arrhythmia with the help of special medications prescribed by your doctor.

Bradycardia

The next disorder characterized by low heart rate is bradycardia, in which the actual heart rate slows down to less than 60 beats per minute. in men and less than 65 beats/min. in women. This disorder can be caused by a heart attack, intracranial injury, or certain medications.

Tachycardia

The opposite of this disorder is tachycardia, in which the number of heart contractions increases, amounting to more than 100 beats/min. in men and 110 beats/min. In women. This condition most often occurs during physical overexertion, in stressful situations. However, tachycardia may also indicate the presence of a febrile illness, anemia, heart failure, intoxication, or a thyroid disorder. In such cases, in deciding how to calm the pulse, eliminating the primary disorder or disease plays an important role.

Heart rate monitoring is recommended for all people who care about their health. Pulse monitoring is a good prevention of many diseases. It will help a person understand his body, and in case of any discrepancies, it will be the first signal about the need to see a doctor.