Your
pulse rate
defines a lot about your physical and mental health. Any difference in the regular pulse rate may indicate a bigger health issue or an underlying health risk. Therefore, measuring your pulse rate is often one method to find out how well your body is functioning.
A
normal pulse rate
can vary significantly from person to person, reflecting the unique needs of each individual’s body.
While the official
resting heart rate
ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute, most healthy adults typically fall between 55 and 85 beats per minute. It’s important to note that various factors, such as stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, medications, and physical activity levels, can influence your resting heart rate.
Normal pulse rate
The optimal resting pulse rate for the majority of healthy persons falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Generally speaking, a lower pulse rate denotes improved
cardiovascular fitness
and more effective cardiac function. For example, those who are athletic or very active tend to have resting pulse rates that are below 60 beats per minute, which is typically seen as healthy.
The pulse rate of youngsters
Because of their developing bodies and quicker metabolisms, children’s pulse rates are inherently greater than those of adults. This is a broad summary by age:
Newborns (0-1 month): 70-190 BPM
Infants (1-11 months): 80-160 BPM
Children (1-10 years): 70-120 BPM
Adolescents (11-17 years): 60-100 BPM
As children grow older, their pulse rate gradually decreases and stabilizes around the adult range.
Pulse rate during exercise
Your pulse rate rises during activity in order to provide your muscles more oxygen-rich blood. Generally speaking, the optimal exercise pulse rate is between 50 and 85% of your maximum heart rate, which can be determined using the following formula:
Maximum Heart Rate = 220 – Age
For example, for a 30-year-old:
Maximum Heart Rate: 220 – 30 = 190 BPM
Target Pulse Rate (50-85%): 95-162 BPM
How to check your pulse rate?
According to Dr. Anurag Sharma, Chairman, Cardiac Sciences, Paras Hospital, “To assess your own resting heart rate, it’s best to check it first thing in the morning while still in bed. A resting heart rate that dips into the 40s is common among well-trained athletes but may raise concerns for the average individual. Conversely, a consistent rate above 90 beats per minute warrants medical attention, even though it technically falls within the normal range.”
Understanding your pulse can empower you to recognize unusual changes, potentially leading to early intervention in heart-related conditions. Regularly monitoring your heart rate allows you to maintain awareness of your overall health and adjust your lifestyle accordingly, supporting both cardiovascular fitness and general well-being.
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