Our heart plays a big role in the daily functioning of our bodies, as it is responsible for pumping blood to and from the rest of the body, so it is important to pay attention to its heart rate.
The resting heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute when a person is inactive.
So what is your resting heart rate and how do you check it?
Most adults have a resting heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute. However, the more fit a person is, the lower their resting heart rate is likely to be, according to the NHS.
Normal heart rates for children vary and are as follows:
Up to 1 month – 70 to 190 beats per minute
1 to 11 months – 80 to 160 beats per minute
1 to 2 years – 80 to 130 beats per minute
3 to 4 years old – 80 to 120 bpm
From 5 to 6 years – 75 to 115 bpm
7 to 9 years old – 70 to 110 beats per minute
Over 10 years old – 60 to 100 bpm
How do you check your heart rate at rest?
Resting heart rate is measured by counting the number of times the heart beats while sitting still.
To check your resting heart rate, you can use a heart rate monitor or alternatively check your pulse.
To do this, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) explains that you can raise your hands so that you are looking at your palm.
Place the pads of the first two fingers of the other hand on the inner side of the wrist, at the base of the thumb, and apply gentle pressure.
If you can’t feel your pulse, press down hard and check for 30 seconds to see if the pulse is regular.
Count the beats for six seconds and multiply by 10 (because 6 seconds x 10 = 60 seconds) to find your heart rate per minute.
Here is a chart of target heart rates based on age, according to the American Heart Association:
20 years: 100-170 beats per minute
30 years: 95-162 bpm
35 years: 93-157 beats per minute
40 years: 90-153 beats per minute
45 years old: 88-149 beats per minute
50 years: 85-145 bpm
55 years old: 83-140 beats per minute
60 years: 80-136 beats per minute
65 years: 78-132 bpm
70 years and older: 75-128 bpm