Normal heart beat per minute
When palpating the arteries under the skin, a rhythmic beating is felt - the pulse.
It occurs as a result of vibration of the walls of blood vessels during blood flow. The strength and frequency of the beats can determine how the heart works. To assess his condition, you need to know the normal heart rate for each age. Heart rate monitoring helps identify abnormalities in the functioning of the circulatory system. The ideal heart rate for an adult at rest is 60-80 beats per minute. It was recorded by the World Health Organization. The blows must follow at the same interval of time.
Throughout life, heart rate changes.
The heart beats fastest in newborn babies; it is weak and cannot pump a large volume of blood. Any tension leads to tachycardia - increased heart rate. As the baby grows, the heart rate slows down. In adolescents, the rate gradually reaches the adult heart rate norm.
In adults
The normal pulse rate in a person by age depends on gender. Men's heart beats less often than women's. This is explained by the difference in its parameters. Young people have a higher frequency of contractions than older people.
After 50 years, chronic diseases and age-related changes in the heart and blood vessels become the cause of arrhythmia.
Average number of heart beats per minute in healthy men:
- from 18 to 25 years old – 65-75;
- from 25 to 40 years – 70-80;
- from 40 to 60 years – 60-70;
- after 60 years – 50-60.
Normal heart rate for women by age:
- from 18 to 25 years – 70-80;
- from 25 to 40 years – 80-90;
- from 40 to 60 years – 75-85;
- after 60 years – 60-70.
In children under 10 years of age
- In a newborn baby, the optimal heart rate is 110-160 beats per minute. If the baby was born premature – 160-190.
- In children from 1 month to a year, a pulse from 100 to 150 is considered normal.
- In preschool age, heart rate ranges from 80 to 130.
- From 7 to 10 years of age, a range of 70 to 95 beats per minute is considered normal.
In teenagers
During puberty, hormonal levels are unstable, so the frequency and rhythm of the pulse are constantly changing. The normal heart rate in adolescence is 50-100 beats in 60 seconds.
If the value constantly exceeds the critical level, there is a risk of dangerous complications.
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It is believed that an adult's heart rate should be 70 beats per minute. In fact, this value changes at different periods of life.
In newly born children, the norm is 130 heart beats per minute. By the end of the first year of life, the pulse drops to 100 beats. The student should have about 90 strokes. In old age, the norm is 60 beats per minute.
There is a primitive, but generally quite reliable way to calculate the normal heart rate for a healthy person. It is necessary to subtract the number of years lived from 180. The resulting figure determines the normal indicator of this individual. Ideally. At absolute rest, without external irritants and normal atmospheric conditions.
In practice, this indicator in a healthy body can differ significantly depending on a number of factors. In the morning, as a rule, heart beats are less frequent than in the evening. And a person lying down has a slower heartbeat than when he is standing.
The accuracy of measurements will definitely be affected by:
- prolonged exposure of people to cold, hot sun or near heat sources;
- dense, fatty foods;
- consumption of tobacco and alcohol-containing drinks;
- sexual intercourse;
- taking a relaxing bath or massage;
- fasting or dieting;
- critical days for women;
- physical exercise.
To correctly track the parameters, it is necessary to measure the value of heartbeats for several days in a row.
Moreover, do this at different times, recording the results and conditions under which the measurement was carried out. Only this method will give a correct idea of the state of the cardiovascular system.
According to the medical encyclopedia and WHO data, the normal pulse per minute in a healthy person is 60-80 beats, but the number of heart beats varies depending on age, lifestyle, and professional activity. Deviations from the norm indicate heart disease or vascular pathologies, but disorders in other organs are possible. To determine whether treatment is needed, a thorough diagnosis is required.
Heart rate is measured only at rest. A person's heart rate may vary, as it depends on a large number of factors. It is important to consider the patient’s age, the medications he is taking, and his occupation. Changes in pulse contractions in women during the cycle and the premenopausal period, as well as an unstable pulse in a child 12-18 years old, are not considered a deviation from the norm. But according to WHO data, this is the number of heart beats 60-80 per minute.
Heart rate variability as a person gets older
Age, years | Averages | The maximum amount is within normal limits | The minimum amount is within normal limits |
newborn | 140 | 170 | 110 |
up to 1 year | 132 | 162 | 102 |
2—10 | 98 | 129 | 68 |
10—18 | 80 | 95 | 55 |
18—50 | 75 | 80 | 60 |
50—60 | 74 | 84 | 64 |
60—80 | 79 | 89 | 69 |
Immediately after birth, a baby’s heart can beat at a speed of 99–149 times per minute. Typically, such fluctuations are normalized by 16-18 years, when the active phases of puberty are completed. A heart rate close to 200 and less than 50 heart beats per minute is critically dangerous. In this case, urgent resuscitation is necessary.
Many people think about how many heart beats per minute is considered normal. Eastern doctors believe that the number of heart beats per minute can determine whether a person is sick. And for good reason - even before the development of external symptoms, the pulse will tell you about disorders inside the body, which will allow you to begin treatment in the first stages.
A normal heart rate is a slow heart rate, meaning that the heart pumps the maximum amount of blood per minute with the minimum number of contractions. Don’t worry, the number of heart beats will change with age, since our “motor” tends to wear out over time. The muscles will weaken and the heart will beat faster. By the way, a slow pulse is observed in sleeping people.
The heart rate depends on age and gender, and is measured by the following parameters:
- in newborns, the heart rate is up to 140 beats;
- the child’s heartbeat ranges from 75-160 units;
- in an adult healthy person, the heart beats 60-80 times per minute;
- in old age, the normal number is about 70 beats.
Age | Average | Number of heart beats (max. and min. number of times) |
Newborns | 140 | 110—170 |
Up to a year | 132 | 102—162 |
Up to 6 years | 106 | 85—125 |
To 10 | 88 | 65—110 |
Up to 15 | 75 | 55—95 |
Up to 50 | 70 | 60—80 |
Up to 60 | 75 | 65—85 |
Elderly (from 60) | 80 | 70—90 |
It is worth noting that heartbeat directly depends on other factors:
- the heart muscle in athletes contracts to 40-45 beats;
- cyclists record 22 beats per minute;
- with excessive load on an untrained heart or in a stressful situation, the figure reaches 200 beats;
- It is generally accepted that age reflects the normal number of beats in older people (for example, in an 80-year-old person, the heart contracts to 80 units);
- a woman's heart beats 5-8 beats more often than a man's.
Normal pulse in an adult and a healthy child: average values and possible deviations
The human body is a complex system where each organ, tissue and bone has its own role. This is reminiscent of a watch mechanism: all the parts are connected to each other and do not stop working for a second.
Of course, such a complex system needs its own signals that would tell a person about the state of his health.
What does heart rate per minute indicate?
contracts, it pushes blood through the arteries, which then fills every vessel and vein , thereby ensuring the proper functioning of the organs.
The largest artery in the human body is the aorta. The blood hits it with such force that the “shock wave” travels through all the bloodstreams . It can be felt if you squeeze the artery wall in the right place. It is this powerful impulse that is commonly called the pulse.
physical activity, strong emotions, medications and much more are also stimulating factors
Measurements must be taken for all teenagers who participate in sports sections..
At this age, the body undergoes the most significant changes, so a too high indicator may be the first news that this sport is not suitable for a person.
Such examinations are a daily responsibility for professional athletes . However, in their case, this is connected with the selection of a training program; it is its effectiveness, as well as whether it is suitable for the athlete or not, that will be shown by the pulse.
If you regularly visit the gym , then you probably know that many programs, be it training to gain muscle mass, lose weight, or a simple warm-up, are designed for a certain range of a person’s heartbeat. The measurements in this case will tell you whether you are doing the program conscientiously or not trying hard enough.
In addition, similar measurements are carried out by emergency doctors in case of a heart attack, fainting, or severe bleeding . However, the pulse will tell you about health problems long before the inevitable happens. You just need to be able to understand what your body is telling you.
Step-by-step measurement algorithm: how to count heart beats
The easiest way is to pinch the artery with two fingers where the person’s pulse is detected. This can be done near the wrist, on the temples or the inside of the foot.
If you are taking measurements on a small child, it is better to do this at the temples . For an independent procedure, the radial artery, located next to the hand, is best suited.
- Gently press the artery with two fingers, but keep in mind that the pressure should be minimal.
- Count the tremors you feel for 60 seconds.
- The resulting figure will be your indicator.
In addition to the method already described, research can be done using a special device . Outwardly, it resembles a small counter and a cuff that is tightly secured near the hand. The device will count your pulse for 1 minute. This method is more accurate than palpation.
Norm by age for men, women, teenagers and children
It must be said that in children the figure is much higher than in adults, especially for newborns. What is the normal heart rate for a newborn baby?
Many mothers get scared if their young children's readings are above 100, but this is normal. Ideally, a newborn's heart rate should be 140 beats per minute, but other values in this range are possible. The main thing is that the number should not be less than 110 beats and more than 170.
From the first month of life to a year, the indicator usually changes slightly. The norm is data from 102 to 162 beats per minute, and it is best if it is 132.
From 1 year to 6 years, the baby is actively growing and developing, and his physical activity is off the charts, so the normal heart rate of a healthy child should be in the range from 90 to 150.
Between the ages of 6 and 12 years , when a child begins to study at school, a decrease in physical activity also affects the condition of the body. The norm is between 75 and 115.
In adolescence (12-15 years), the pulse slows down significantly, and therefore should be in the range from 55 to 95.
The average heart rate of a healthy adult ( from 15 years old to 50 years old ) is 70 beats per minute, but 60-80 beats are also normal.
At 50-60 years of age , the increase occurs again, so daily measurements are necessary. Normally, the heart rate in older people varies from 74 to 79 beats per minute - this is considered normal, although higher than other values.
An increased heart rate is normal during exercise . In addition, your heart rate increases if you are worried or experiencing any strong emotions. It is about this condition that they say: “the heart is jumping out of the chest.”
The slowdown usually occurs if you find yourself in a hot, tropical climate . Holidays in the countries of Southeast Asia are contraindicated for people with problems of the cardiovascular system, since the climate there involves not only heat, but also strong humidity. An unprepared body is susceptible to overheating, which negatively affects the condition of the heart.
If you do not have diseases of the cardiovascular system, then a slight decrease in the indicator is normal , however, “heart patients” should carefully monitor their health while in a hot country.
Find out more about what is considered the normal heart rate for a healthy adult (both men and women), how many heart beats should be per minute at rest, and when you should be concerned about a deviation from the normal heart rate:
Causes of increased heart rate
Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), which is the cause of an accelerated pulse, may be the first sign of such serious problems as:
- Infection . In this state, a slight increase in temperature is also observed.
- Improper functioning of the heart . Any damage to the heart muscle and insufficient blood circulation also lead to an increase in the rate.
- Bleeding, fainting and any other shock conditions . Such a collapse causes a decrease in blood pressure and leads to an immediate, acute reaction of the whole organism.
- Abuse of caffeine and alcohol . Much has already been said about the dangers of both substances for the heart. Any excesses in the consumption of alcohol and caffeine immediately affect the functioning of the heart and pulse.
If you have such a problem, you should first try to calm down . Lie on your back and exclude all irritating factors, be it bright light or noise. Breathe deeply. This may be difficult at first, but after just a few breaths, your heart rate will begin to slow down.
If you do not have the opportunity to lie down, then it will be enough to rinse your face with cold water several times . This will trigger the “dive reflex” and a slowdown will naturally occur.
How else you can calm your heartbeat is described in this video:
Why it slows down and what to do about it
A pulse is considered rare if it occurs less than 60 beats per minute. This condition is called “bradycardia”, and it can be a concomitant factor in the following diseases:
- Thyroid diseases;
- Brain edema, presence of a tumor, cerebral hemorrhage, meningitis;
- Poisoning with drugs or chemicals;
- Taking beta blockers;
- Infectious diseases.
However, in addition to such serious problems, a slow pulse is possible due to prolonged exposure to the cold or low blood pressure .
In this case, small physical activities will help you get back to normal, for example, walking in the fresh air for 20 minutes, swimming, running .
You can resort to caffeine-containing substances , however, if you have heart disease, then you should not abuse this method. Taking a hot bath will help increase your heart rate.
Traditional medicine in this case recommends using a decoction of yarrow mixed with lemon juice and a squeeze of garlic.
What tests can a doctor prescribe?
For tachycardia and bradycardia, doctors prescribe the following examinations and tests:
- Ultrasound of the heart . Most often prescribed to people with chronic or hereditary diseases, be it hypertension, coronary artery disease, or heart disease. It is necessary to analyze the condition of the organ itself and its valves.
- ECG. By measuring electrical pulses, the doctor has a complete understanding of the frequency and rhythm of organ contraction, the work of the ventricles of the heart, as well as the slightest manifestations of serious diseases.
- General blood analysis. Shows the number of blood cells, and in case of their deficiency, is the basis for additional examinations for the presence of diseases such as leukemia or anemia (anemia).
- A blood test for thyroid hormones and a urine test are mandatory for an accelerated pulse, since problems in the endocrine system are often the cause.
However, if the indicator is far from normal and is accompanied by nausea and dizziness , then after taking the necessary measures to normalize it, you must consult a doctor. There may be no cause for concern, but it is better to practice prevention than to treat advanced diseases.
The features of diagnosing people with heart rate disorders are described in this video:
How does pulse differ from heart rate?
Heart rate (HR) is a physiological parameter that shows the number of times an organ beats per minute. Measuring your pulse helps you calculate how many times your blood pressure causes your blood vessels to expand and contract in response over the same period of time. In healthy people, both indicators coincide and are at the acceptable level.
In medical institutions, heart rate is measured using an electrocardiograph, at home - using a device for measuring blood pressure - a tonometer.
The pulse is felt with your hands in areas where the arteries are located close to the skin. In acute heart failure, when the pulse is weak and thread-like, this measurement method will not help.
How to measure heart rate on the wrist:
- Carry out the procedure in the morning immediately after waking up and emptying your bladder.
- Have a watch with a second hand ready, sit down and relax.
- Determine the hand on which the beat is felt more strongly, and place it, palm up, on a horizontal surface at chest level.
- Lightly press the index, middle and ring fingers of your other hand against the radial artery on the wrist (under the thumb).
- Count the number of beats in 60 seconds.
What is called pulse?
Pulse is an indicator of the functioning of internal organs or the vibration of the walls of blood vessels under the influence of heart contractions.
These cyclic vascular oscillations occur when the vessels fill with blood during heart contractions. In a healthy person, the pulse and heart rate should match. A discrepancy between the criteria gives reason to suspect a disorder within the body, ranging from the heart to dysfunction of the endocrine system. To count the number of pulse beats in a person, you need to count the number of pulse beats per minute. It is worth noting that the indicators for adults and children will differ.
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What determines changes in heart rate?
The pulse at rest does not always correspond to normal values. Sometimes the heart contracts less often or more often; the cause may be temporary physiological phenomena. For example, an increased rhythm is observed in women during menopause, and a decreased rhythm is observed after taking certain medications.
If your heart rate is regularly outside the normal range, this indicates health problems.
Factors affecting heart rate:
- Fitness level. Athletes have a lower rate than untrained people.
- Lack of fluid in the body. Dehydration leads to intense cardiac activity.
- Air temperature. When it's hot, blood vessels dilate and the heart rate increases. In cold weather it's the opposite.
- Stress and emotions. Excitement and prolonged nervous tension lead to an increase in heart rate.
- Excess weight. Overweight people have a higher heart rate than normal.
- Bad habits. With smoking and alcoholism, the heart quickly wears out and arrhythmia appears.
- Device for measuring human pressure
- Cholesterol plaques
- Signs of appendicitis in children
Heart rate slows down during rest and increases after exercise. In addition, the indicator is influenced by atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity, emotions, and the psychological state of a person. The heart rate increases greatly when a person is afraid and slows down if he is suffering from depression.
Heart rate is affected by seasonal weather changes and adaptation to new climate zones or time zones. The nature of physical activity also determines the frequency of the indicator. If this is a professional sport, experts note bradycardia, that is, the pulse is below 60 beats/min. If these are highly effective loads, the heart rate can jump to 200 and then slowly decrease as the body relaxes.
Pregnancy and pulse
Moreover, seven blows means medium heat, eight blows means high heat, nine blows means extreme heat, and ten blows means excessive heat or the pulse of death. By measuring your pulse in different states of well-being, a person can learn to distinguish the quality of his pulse and learn about alarming signals in his state of health.
The maximum increase in heart rate after physical activity is observed at 13-14 hours - these hours are the most unfavorable for physical activity. During such hours, you should not do massage, balneotherapy or take a steam bath, as temperature sensitivity is increased.
Each person's heart rate is different. The rarest pulse is 32 beats per minute, and the highest frequency occurs with paroxysmal tachycardia or after very heavy physical exertion - up to 200 beats per minute.
The pulse rate is affected by different phases of the moon. It turned out that in both men and women, the maximum heart rate is observed during the new moon, and the minimum during the full moon. IN HEART FAILURE the pulse is very slow and weak. PULSE RHYTHM is determined by the intervals between individual pulse beats.
How many beats per minute should the heart beat?
Normally, during sleep and rest, the heart rate can drop to 40-50 beats per minute. Any activity causes the heart to beat faster and saturate the blood with oxygen faster, because the body spends more energy when moving. Age-related heart rate indicators are individual for each person and depend on his physical form.
Heart rate changes frequently throughout the day, but should remain between 60-100 beats per 60 seconds.
Regular aerobic exercise strengthens the heart, promotes good blood supply and reduces resting heart rate to a minimum. In athletes, it can reach 40 beats per minute even in old age, but if such a rhythm is observed constantly, the heart wears out prematurely.
After meal
When a person eats food, the organs begin to work harder and the pulse quickens. The range of 80-100 beats per minute is considered normal. Increased values are observed during overeating or indicate diseases of the digestive and circulatory systems.
When performing exercises, you need to control your heart rate so as not to exceed its maximum limit. You can calculate an individual indicator if you subtract the number of years lived from the number 220. To lose weight, you need to know the aerobic heart rate limit at which fat burning occurs. It is approximately 70% of the obtained figure.
Average heart rate during training:
- for women – 120-140;
- for men – 115-135.
When running
Your heart rate is affected by the pace and duration of your workout. A rhythm of 120-130 beats per minute is considered comfortable for the heart. For people with poor physical shape, maximum loads will only bring harm. To avoid exceeding the limit, alternate running with walking for 30-60 minutes. For athletes, the heart rate depends on the intensity of the workout and ranges from 130 to 190 beats in 60 seconds.
This is the frequency of oscillations of the arterial walls, determined by the heart rhythm. Reflects the number of heart beats over a period of time. It is a key indicator of the functioning of the heart and related human systems. To the seemingly simple question of how many beats per minute the heart should beat, many will give the wrong answer.
There is no definite answer, since even in a practically healthy person this indicator changes significantly under different conditions.
Still, there are some norms, deviation from which indicates the presence of serious pathologies of the body.
Most of them are related to the cardiovascular system.
Normal heart rate in children
Children often experience an unstable heartbeat as their cardiovascular system is just beginning to adapt to physical and psycho-emotional changes. Heart rate norms also vary depending on the age of the child.
Age | Ideal heart rate | Maximum indicator | Minimum indicator |
Newborns (under 1 month) | 140-145 | 170 | 110 |
From 1 month to a year | 132-135 | 162 | 130 |
From one to two years | 124-126 | 154 | 124 |
From two to four | 114-116 | 140 | 90 |
From four to six | 106-108 | 128 | 86 |
Six to eight | 98-100 | 118 | 78 |
Eight to Ten | 88-90 | 108 | 68 |
Ten to twelve | 80-83 | 100 | 60 |
Twelve to fourteen | 75-77 | 95 | 55 |
In adults and children, the pulse quickens in the evening and at night. In the morning and after sleep (dinner), the readings may be slightly lower.
Most often, a child’s heart rate changes after physical activity or due to stress. Young children and adolescents are characterized by violent reactions to various events.
The heart rate increases as body temperature rises. This is typical for both children and adults. A heartbeat of 110-140 beats per minute is observed with VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia).
Pulse increases as body temperature rises
Important! Is a constant increase in heart rate dangerous? Yes, especially if such a phenomenon is accompanied by chest pain and loss of consciousness.
How to determine pulse correctly
Most specialists measure the pulse at the wrist artery. This is due to the fact that the wrist artery passes close to the surface of the skin. In the marked place it is very convenient to independently detect and count the pulse. You can even do this for yourself.
The artery is felt on the left arm, since it is closer to the heart, and therefore the shocks of the artery walls are more distinct. You can measure the pulse on your right hand. It is only necessary to take into account that in this case it may be felt out of sync with the heartbeats and be weaker.
Ideally, the pulse in both arms should be the same for an adult. In practice, it varies. If the difference is large enough, then the cause may be problems with the cardiovascular system. If this is discovered, then it is necessary to undergo examination by a specialist.
In order to correctly count the pulse, you need to turn your left palm up. It is better to place your hand on a horizontal plane at chest level and bend your wrist slightly.
If you grab your wrist from below with your right hand, the middle finger of your right hand will feel shocks in the area of the bend of the wrist of your left hand. This is the radial artery. It feels like a soft tube. You need to press it lightly, which will allow you to better feel the shocks. Then count the number of pulsations for a minute.
This will be the pulse. Some people count their pulse for 10 seconds and then multiply it by six. We do not recommend this method, since when counting beats per second, the error increases, which can reach large values.
It is not recommended to determine the pulse using your thumb, as it is less sensitive. You can miss the impulse from the heartbeat, which also leads to errors in the calculations.
About the human pulse
Oxygen enters human organs and tissues with blood flowing through arteries (blood vessels through which blood is carried from the heart) under a certain pressure - arterial. This causes vibration of the arterial walls. The forward and reverse movement of blood to the heart also (normally) causes emptying and filling of the veins. Under the influence of blood pressure, red blood cells (red blood cells) are forced through capillaries (the thinnest blood vessels), overcoming high resistance; Electrolytes (substances that conduct electric current) pass through their walls.
This creates pulse beats that are felt throughout the body, in all vessels. An amazing phenomenon! Although in reality it is a pulse wave - a wave of movements of the walls of blood vessels under pressure, which is very fast and sounds like a short sound. The number of these waves normally corresponds to the number of heart contractions.
How to calculate?
The most accessible way to measure heart rate is palpation, a manual method based on touch. Quick and simple, it does not require special training.
To obtain the most accurate reading, place your index and middle fingers on the surface of the skin over the artery and count the pulse for 60 seconds. You can also use a faster method by determining your pulse in 20 seconds and multiplying the resulting value by 3.
The easiest way to determine the pulse is in the wrist area.
Before measuring the pulse, the person should be in a quiet position for some time, preferably sitting or lying down. It is better to count for at least a minute, otherwise the accuracy may not be sufficient. The easiest way to measure your pulse on your own is your wrist and neck.
To palpate the radial artery, you need to place the hand being palpated, preferably the left (since it is closer to the heart), palm up at the level of the heart. You can place it on a horizontal surface. Place the pads of the index and middle fingers together, straight but relaxed, on the wrist or just below. From the base of the thumb, if you press lightly, you should feel a rush of blood.
The carotid artery is also probed with two fingers. You need to look for it by tracing the skin from the base of the jaw to the throat from top to bottom. In a small hole, the pulse will be felt best, but you should not press hard, since pinching the carotid artery can lead to fainting (for the same reason, you should not measure the pressure by palpating both carotid arteries at the same time).
Both independent and regular medical measurement of the pulse is a fairly simple but important preventative procedure that should not be neglected.
What to do if the pulse does not match the heart rate?
- in the wrist area;
- on the inner surface of the elbow;
- on the side of the neck;
- in the groin area.
However, if your heart rate does not always match your heart rate. It can be determined by placing a medical phonendoscope on the left side of the chest, approximately at the intersection point of a vertical line crossing the middle of the collarbone and a horizontal line running through the axillary region. The phonendoscope can be moved to find the point with the best audibility of heart sounds.
In medicine, heart rate is determined using an electrocardiogram - a recording of electrical signals that are generated in the heart and cause it to contract. Long-term recording of heart rate for a day or more is carried out using Holter ECG monitoring.
When to think
It is worth noting that when working intensively or visiting the gym in a healthy person, the normal heart rate increases significantly. So, when walking, the norm is 100 pushes per minute. A runner's heart rate can rise to 150 beats.
A person's pulse is considered dangerous when it approaches 200 beats per minute. In this state, it is necessary to stop physical exercise and give the body rest. In a healthy person, after 5 minutes of rest, the pulse returns to normal. If this does not happen, then this fact is evidence of problems with the heart or other body systems.
Another dangerous symptom is when, when climbing several floors of stairs, the heartbeat exceeds 100 beats per minute.
Timely detection of deviations from the norm can prevent serious complications, since this circumstance signals the presence of pathologies in the functioning of the body. Thus, with an accelerated heartbeat, which for a long time exceeds 100 beats per minute, serves as the main parameter of tachycardia. This is a dangerous disease that requires special treatment.
In this case, an increase in heart rate is possible around the clock, even at night.
If the number of heart beats per minute has decreased to 50, this indicates the presence of an equally serious disease - bradycardia. This is a very alarming condition that can manifest as sudden death even in adults. If these symptoms appear, the person should be taken to a specialist for examination.
What is the normal heart rate during physical activity?
Every person who leads an active lifestyle and regularly plays sports should know what the heart rate should be during physical activity?
The heart rate of a healthy person per minute during physical activity is much higher than during a state of complete rest. For example, when walking it is approximately 100 beats/min, while running it increases to 150 beats/min. Do a short test, go up the stairs to the 3rd - 4th floor and count your heartbeats. If they are less than 100 beats per minute, you are in excellent physical shape. If the readings exceed 100 beats/min. by more than 10 - 20 beats/min, then you are in poor physical shape.
There are certain criteria that allow you to understand whether loads of one intensity or another are dangerous for the body. If the pulse rate is 100 - 130 beats per minute, then this indicates that physical activity can be increased, from 130 to 150 beats per minute. - the norm for humans. And if, when counting your pulse, indicators close to 200 are found, then physical activity will need to be urgently reduced, as this can lead to serious disturbances in the functioning of the heart.
After exercise, a healthy person's heart rate returns within about 4 to 5 minutes. If after this period of time the pulse does not approach normal, this may indicate a malfunction of the cardiovascular system.
Pathological changes in heartbeat
Changes in cardiac activity in some cases are a very serious disorder and require immediate treatment. An increase in heart contractions, which is pathological and does not go away on its own, is usually associated with conditions such as:
Pathological bradycardia is mainly recorded in the following cases:
- changes in the sinus node, which provoke so-called sinus bradycardia;
- dysfunction of the atrioventricular node;
- other changes in the conduction system, leading to the development of various blockades.
Similar disorders are observed against the background of heart attacks, acute coronary syndrome, cardiosclerosis and arterial hypertension. Among the causes of bradycardia, one should also remember kidney damage, medication, thyroid pathology in the form of hypothyroidism, fasting and various poisonings. In children, bradycardia is recorded in the presence of heart defects, after severe infections, with excessive growth and poor nutrition.
If you have general weakness, cold sweats and fatigue, as well as loss of consciousness and the appearance of spots before your eyes, you should consult a doctor. Bradycardia is a dangerous condition, as it can lead to a sharp decrease in blood pressure, the development of coronary artery disease, or even provoke cardiac arrest.
When answering the question of how many heart beats should be normal, it is worth remembering that the contractility of the myocardium is influenced by many external and internal factors. What matters are age and gender, the degree of physical development, the state of the autonomic and endocrine systems, the presence or absence of pathologies of other organs or systems, and the state of the conduction system in the heart. The individual characteristics of a particular patient’s body also matter.
To prevent the development of serious complications that heart rhythm disturbances can lead to, you need to periodically undergo medical examinations, and if you have certain complaints, immediately contact a cardiologist for examination and prescription of the necessary treatment.
If your heart rate is high, what to do?
If a high heart rate is not a common symptom of previously diagnosed heart pathologies, then at levels of 100 beats per minute or higher, the following measures can be taken:
- drink a glass of cool water in small sips;
- lie down in a darkened room and close your eyes;
- take several deep breaths and exhalations.
After 15 minutes, you should take a control measurement of your heart rate and, even if it drops slightly, continue to help yourself - take 30 drops of tincture of valerian, motherwort or valocordin. You can place a Validol tablet under your tongue and open the window wide, providing yourself with an influx of fresh air. Doctors also recommend measuring blood pressure - tachycardia often occurs due to its increase.
If a person has not previously been diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia, then the following measures can be taken to restore heart rate:
- Take a deep breath, hold your breath for 1-2 seconds and exhale. At the last stage, you need to strain and cough actively.
- Without applying too much force, press your fingers on the eyeballs and stay in this position for 30 seconds.
- With your thumb, press firmly into the pit area on the inside of the wrist and stay in this position for 1 minute.
- Using gentle massage movements and stroking, work on the neck in the area of the anatomical location of the carotid arteries.
- Wash with ice water.
- Take a 20 mg Anaprilin tablet - place it under the tongue until completely absorbed.
- Take 1 capsule of Cordarone or 150 mg of Propanorm.
If the heart rate is more than 120 beats per minute, then no measures can be taken to stabilize it on your own. You need to call an ambulance and wait for it in a lying position with free access to fresh air. Doctors will provide medical assistance, conduct emergency diagnostics and send the patient for examination or hospitalization if a stroke is suspected. If specialists do not identify pathological processes leading to an increase in heart rate, then the person will have to:
- adjust your diet by giving up fatty foods, large amounts of sweets, coffee, strong tea;
- completely eliminate alcoholic drinks and energy drinks;
- normalize sleep, adjust the daily routine;
- Constantly monitor blood pressure readings;
- Give the body moderate physical activity.
Heart rate and pulse in medicine are considered as two completely different concepts, although it is possible to take only pulse indicators and draw conclusions about heart rate based on the data obtained. An increase in indicators without previously diagnosed pathologies can be corrected independently at home, but if the heart rate is 120 beats per minute, then you need to call an ambulance and get qualified medical care.