HOW YOUR RESTING HEART RATE COULD FLAG A LOOMING CARDIAC EVENT – AND HOW TO CHECK IT

If your resting heart rate is abnormally high or low, it could signal risks that need the attention of a doctor, say heart experts

From Apple Watches to Fitbits to treadmills, there are more ways than ever for people to keep up with their vitals.

So why does so much fitness tech check your pulse? Because your resting heart rate can say a significant amount about your health, including when it might be time to seek immediate medical care.

What is a healthy resting heart rate?

According to Harvard Medical School, a normal resting heart rate is anywhere between 60 and 100 beats per minute. However, for most healthy adults it actually falls between 55 and 85 beats per minute (bpm), it reported.

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An individual's expected heart rate also changes as they age. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a 35-year-old should have a heart rate of about 93 to 157bpm during moderate intensity activity - 24 per cent faster than someone twice their age.

A person's heart rate should be 50 per cent to 85 per cent of their maximum heart rate during moderate activity, according to AHA, and the maximum rate should be about 220 minus your age.

Having a heart rate on the lower or higher end of the healthy 60-100 spectrum is not necessarily a sign something is wrong, but an especially low or fast heart rate could be a symptom of something demanding immediate medical attention.

What does it mean if your resting heart rate is low?

A heart rate that is too slow, often under 60 beats per minute, means you have what is known as bradycardia, a condition more common in older adults.

A low heart rate is not always bad, though, because it often indicates more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness.

The heart drops below 60 beats per minute during sleep, and physically active adults, particularly athletes, can have resting heart rates slower than 60.

"In certain cases, a lower resting heart rate can mean a higher degree of physical fitness, which is associated with reduced rates of cardiac events like heart attacks," Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Centre director of quality and analytics Dr Jason Wasfy told Harvard Men's Health Watch.

Bradycardia in older adults, however, can be a sign of wear and tear over time.

"This may be the result of the electrical nodes of the heart ageing, or not transmitting electrical signals correctly," Wasfy added. "You should report these symptoms to your healthcare provider."

A high resting heart rate could be a sign of an increased risk of cardiac arrest in some situations
Dr Jason Wasfy, Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Centre

According to the American Heart Association, symptoms of bradycardia often include fatigue, dizziness, confusion, fainting, shortness of breath and chest pain.

What if your resting heart rate is high?

A heart rate that is too high, often over 100 beats per minute, is known as tachycardia, a condition that is not necessarily a concern.

A person's heart rate can rise briefly because of stress or from physical exertion, but tachycardia that lasts longer or is accompanied with certain symptoms could be a sign something is wrong.

"A high resting heart rate could be a sign of an increased risk of cardiac arrest in some situations, as the more beats your heart has to take eventually takes a toll on its overall function," Wasfy said.

According to the Mayo Clinic in the US state of Minnesota, anyone experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness or fainting with tachycardia should seek immediate medical help.

Heart failure, stroke and sudden cardiac death are some of tachycardia's serious health risks if left untreated.

How to check your pulse

To check your pulse, place your index and middle fingers lightly along the artery on the inside of one of your wrists. Count the number of pulses you feel through your fingers within 60 seconds. The total number of pulses will be your heart rate.

How to improve your resting heart rate

The Cleveland Clinic reported that bradycardia is often not preventable. When experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness as a symptom of a low heart rate, especially if these symptoms change suddenly and worsen over time, it is important to seek immediate medical help.

When it comes to preventing an overly quick heart rate, however, there are measures that can be taken.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the best way to avoid tachycardia is to maintain a healthy heart. Receive regular health check-ups, don't smoke, eat a diet low in sodium and saturated fat, reduce stress, maintain a healthy weight, get good sleep and maintain healthy blood pressure.

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This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), the leading news media reporting on China and Asia.

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2025-02-02T08:35:46Z