Normal Heart Rate: Range, When Is It Dangerous?

TheIndonesia.id - Heart rate is one indicator of health to monitor body fitness levels. According to the American Heart Association, heart rate or pulse shows how many times the heart beats. In one measurement session, the heart rate is calculated every one minute. 

Heart rate can be monitored on the pulse of the wrist, the inside of the elbow, the side of the neck, or the back of the foot. To get the most accurate reading of the pulse, place three fingers on the pulse where the heartbeat is detected. After that, count the number of beats for 60 seconds or for one minute. 

When the heart beats, the heart pumps blood containing oxygen and essential nutrients throughout the body. A healthy heart can provide a supply of oxygen-rich blood and proper nutrition for the body. 

Although a normal heart rate is not a guarantee that a person is free from health problems, it can be used as a benchmark to identify various health problems. For this reason, it is important to know whether your heart rate is within the normal range. 

One thing that needs to be monitored is the resting heart rate or pulse when a person is in a relaxed state. A normal heart rate while resting is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. 

In order to get accurate results, this heart rate measurement needs to wait for the right momentum when the body is completely relaxed. If you have just finished a heavy workout, wait for five minutes before taking your pulse. 

Normal heart rate

The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) published guidelines for normal resting heart rate according to age. 

The following is the description: 

• Age under 1 month: normal heart rate 70 to 190 beats per minute
• Age 1 to 11 months: normal heart rate 80 to 160 beats per minute
• Age 1 to 2 years: normal heart rate 80 to 130 beats per minute
• Age 3 to 4 years: normal heart rate 80 to 120 beats per minute
• Ages 5 to 6 years: normal heart rate 75 to 115 beats per minute
• Age 7 to 9 years: normal heart rate 70 to 110 beats per minute
• Over 10 years: heartbeat heart rate 60 to 100 beats per minute 

The heart rate will slow down as a person gets older. The heart rate of sportsmen or athletes who are used to undergoing physical exercise is generally also slower, sometimes the heart rate in resting conditions can be between 40 to 60 beats per minute. 

This condition is influenced by the ability of the heart to be more skilled at working as a positive impact of physical exercise. In addition to speed, normal heart rate is also measured from the rhythm. A normal heartbeat is regular, steady, and doesn't skip around.

Factors that affect heart rate

Generally, the heart will beat faster when you are actively moving. The heart will beat faster to get more oxygen to the working muscles. The harder you work, the heart will beat faster. 

The heart rate when someone does intense exercise can reach 160 beats per minute. The American Heart Association recommends that the safe limit for a normal maximum heart rate during exercise is 220 beats per minute minus a person's age. 

For example, if you are 30 years old, this means that the maximum safe limit for your heart rate while exercising is 190 beats per minute. Outside of physical activity, this heart rate can vary due to many factors. Here are some of them: 

• Age
• Air temperature
• Body position whether resting, sitting, or standing
• Strong emotions related to stress, anxiety, happiness, or sadness
• Weight
• Drugs consumed
• Side effects of caffeine, nicotine, or drugs 

When to be alert for an abnormal heartbeat? 

The heartbeat is said to be abnormal if the heart beats with an irregular rhythm. In addition to rhythm disturbances, the heart rate can sometimes be faster or slower than normal. This condition can be a sign of heart diseases such as arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation. 

In some cases, the abnormal heartbeat is not dangerous. However, to be sure, you need to see a doctor. Doctors will generally carry out a physical examination and recommend an electrocardiogram (ECG) test to further monitor the patient's pulse.