What is resting heart rate?

Your resting heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you're not active. This means when you are sitting or lying down and feeling calm.

Resting heart rate varies from person to person. Knowing your resting heart rate can tell you a lot about how healthy your heart is.

What is a normal resting heart rate?

For adults, a normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Your resting heart rate can change throughout the day.

Lower heart rates can be normal for young adults and those who are physically fit. It is better to have a lower resting heart rate, because it means your heart is working more efficiently. Athletes may have a resting heart rate between 40 and 50 beats per minute.

Newborns and children below 6 years of age have a higher resting heart rate than adults.

How do I check my resting heart rate?

To check your heart rate:

• Turn your wrist so your palm is facing up.
• Feel for your pulse (throbbing or pulsating sensation) on the thumb side of your wrist.
• Once you feel it, count how many times you feel a beat in 30 seconds. Then double it.
• If you can't find your pulse at your wrist — put 2 fingers on either side of your neck next to your windpipe.

To check your heart rate manually, feel for your pulse at the thumb side of your wrist. If you still can't find a pulse, ask someone to help you. You can also check your heart rate with a fitness tracker, smartwatch or a heart rate app.

Sit down and rest for a couple of minutes before checking your heart rate.

What factors can influence heart rate?

Your heart rate can be affected by many different factors. For example, your heart rate tends to be lower at night.

Understanding these factors can help you better monitor your heart health.

Age and sex

As you get older, the rate and regularity of your pulse can change. This may be a sign of a heart problem. Females generally have a higher resting heart rate than males.

Physical activity and fitness level

Your heart rate will increase during physical activity. If you are very fit, your resting heart rate may be lower.

Emotions

Your emotions can influence your heart rate. Your heart will beat faster if you feel strong emotions such as fear, anxiety, excitement or anger.

Medical conditions and medicines

Acute medical conditions, such as an infection or pulmonary embolism, can influence your heart rate. Chronic medical conditions, such as an overactive thyroid gland, may also make your heart beat faster. Pain can also increase your heart rate.

Some medicines, such as beta blockers, can lower your heart rate. Alcohol, caffeine and smoking can also affect your heart rate.

If my resting heart rate is normal, is my blood pressure normal?

Your resting heart rate is not an indication of your blood pressure. The only way to check blood pressure is to measure it with a monitor at home or by a healthcare professional.

Abnormal (arrhythmias) heartbeats may lead to lower blood pressure, if they affect your heart's ability to pump blood effectively.

Is a low resting heart rate dangerous?

A resting heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute at rest is known as bradycardia. Some people who are very fit have resting heart rates as low as 40 beats per minute. Some medicines can also lower your heart rate.

A slow heart rate may be a sign of health problems. You should see your doctor for advice if:

• you have a low heart rate that is not normal for you
• your heart rate feels irregular and slow some or most of the time
• you feel faint or dizzy
• you feel short of breath

Is a high resting heart rate dangerous?

A resting heart rate higher than 100 beats per minute is known as tachycardia. This may be normal during exercise or when you are feeling strong emotions.

A high heart rate may be a sign of a medical condition or abnormal heartbeat. See your doctor for advice if you have a high heart resting rate. Seek urgent medical attention if:

• your heart feels like it is racing
• the rhythm is irregular or feels like it pounding
• you feel short of breath
• have pain in your chest

Resources and support

Visit The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne website for more information on heart rates for children and newborns.

To learn how to check your pulse, watch the video from the Heart foundation NZ.

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

St Vincent's Heart Health and the Heart Foundation have a website with information about heart health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.