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.

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 physically fit people. It is generally better to have a lower resting heart rate because it means your heart is working more efficiently.

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

You can check your heart rate by following these steps:

• Turn your wrist so your palm is facing up.
• Feel for your pulse (a throbbing or pulsating sensation) on the thumb side of your wrist.
• Once you feel it, count how many times you feel a beat in 60 seconds.
• If you can't find your pulse at your wrist, put 2 fingers on either side of your neck next to your windpipe.
• If you still can't find a pulse, ask someone to help you.

You can also check your heart rate with a fitness tracker, a smartwatch or a heart rate app.

Sit down and rest for a couple of minutes before checking your 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 increase your heartbeat. Pain and fever can also increase your heart rate.

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

A resting heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute is known as bradycardia. Some people who are very fit have resting heart rates lower than 60 beats per minute.

Some medicines can also lower your heart rate.

A slow heart rate may be a sign of a health problem. See your doctor if you have a low heart rate that is unusual for you, or if your heart feels as though it is skipping beats or beating unevenly some or most of the time.

You should seek urgent care if:

• you feel faint or dizzy
• you feel short of breath
• you have pain in your chest

If you need to see your doctor but cannot wait for an appointment, you may be able to get treatment at a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. Use the Service Finder to find your nearest one.

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 resting heart rate.

Seek urgent medical attention if:

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

Visit The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne for more information on heart rates for children and newborns (Opens in new tab).

Visit the Heart Foundation webpage for more information about keeping your heart healthy (Opens in new tab).

Languages other than English

The Heart Foundation provides information about heart health in a number of different community languages (Opens in new tab).

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

St Vincent's Heart Health and the Heart Foundation have information about heart health for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples (Opens in new tab).