Your resting heart rate (RHR) is the number of times your heart beats per minute while at rest. It serves as an important indicator of your overall health and cardiovascular fitness
A normal resting heart rate typically ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm), but variations occur with age, fitness level, and other factors.
Infants and young children tend to have higher resting heart rates, often ranging from 70 to 100 bpm. As individuals age, heart rates gradually decrease.
Adults generally fall within the 60 to 100 bpm range, with some highly trained athletes having even lower rates—closer to 40 bpm.
For seniors, the average resting heart rate may slightly increase, ranging from 65 to 80 bpm. This can be attributed to natural changes in heart function as people age.
Additionally, factors such as physical fitness, medications, stress, and health conditions can influence heart rate.
Monitoring your resting heart rate is a simple yet effective way to assess your cardiovascular health. Consistently high or low rates beyond the normal range could signal potential health issues, such as heart disease or conditions like arrhythmias.