Normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute.
Generally, a lower resting heart rate means more efficient heart function and improved cardiovascular health. For example, a well-trained athlete's normal resting heart rate can be around 40 beats per minute.
To measure your pulse, simply check your pulse. Place your index finger and third finger on the side of your neck to the side of your windpipe. To check the pulse at the wrist, place two fingers between the bone and tendon above the radial artery, which is located on the side of the thumb of the wrist.
When you feel the pulse, count the number of beats in 15 seconds. Multiply this number by four to calculate the number of beats per minute.
Remember that many factors can affect the heart rate, in particular:
- Age
- Fitness and activity level
- Being a smoker
- Cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol or diabetes mellitus
- Air temperature
- Body position (for example, standing or lying down)
- Emotions.
- Body size
- Medicines
Although there is a wide range of normal values, an unusually high or low heart rate may indicate an underlying problem. Consult your doctor if your resting heart rate is consistently above 100 beats per minute (tachycardia) or if you are not an athlete and your resting heart rate is below 60 beats per minute (bradycardia) - especially if you have other signs or symptoms, such as fainting, dizziness or shortness of breath.