Which of these are ways to measure a resting heart rate? select all that apply.
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You can check your heart rate by taking your pulse and counting how many times your heart beats in 1 minute (60 seconds). Show
Your heart rate varies depending on what you're doing – for example, it will be slower if you're sleeping and faster if you're exercising. To get your resting heart rate, you need to have been sitting still before checking your pulse. Finding your pulseYou can find your pulse in your wrist or neck. To find your pulse in your wrist:
To find your pulse in your neck:
Checking your pulseWhen you find your pulse, either:
This gives you your heart rate – the number of times your heart beats per minute (bpm). You can also check if your pulse is regular or irregular by feeling its rhythm for about 30 seconds. It's very common to have occasional irregular heartbeats, such as missed beats. But an irregular pulse can be a sign of a heart condition, like atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. This is more likely if you're 65 or older. See a GP if you're worried about your pulse. What's a normal heart rate?Most adults have a resting heart rate between 60 and 100bpm. The fitter you are, the lower your resting heart rate is likely to be. For example, athletes may have a resting heart rate of 40 to 60bpm, or lower. See a GP to get checked if you think your heart rate is continuously above 120bpm or below 60bpm, although it may simply be that this is normal for you. Find out more about how to check your pulse on the British Heart Foundation (BHF) website. Exercise and your pulseIf you check your pulse during or immediately after exercise, it may give an indication of your fitness level. A heart rate monitor is also useful for recording your heart rate when resting and during exercise. Aerobic activities such as walking, running and swimming are good types of exercise because they increase your heart and breathing rates. Read more from the British Heart Foundation on what your target heart rate should be when exercising. If you haven't exercised before, or haven't for some time, see our Live Well section to read about the benefits of exercise and how much exercise you should be doing. Your heart rate is the number of times each minute that your heart beats, which is normally between 60 and 100 times per minute for adults. Your pulse is a way you can feel each time your heart beats. Measuring your heart rate helps you monitor your own health and know if you’re exercising at the right level to get the most benefits to your health.
What is your heart rate?Your heart rate is the number of times that your heart beats in a minute. Your body automatically controls your heartbeat to match whatever you're doing or what's happening around you. That's why your heartbeat gets faster when you're active, excited or scared, and drops when you're resting, calm or comfortable. Your heart rate is an important indicator of your overall health too. When your heart rate is too fast or too slow, that can be a sign of heart or other health problems. The ability to feel your heart rate throughout your body is also a potential way for doctors to diagnose medical conditions. Is there a difference between your heart rate and your pulse?There’s a connection between your heart rate and your pulse, but they aren’t the same. Your heart rate is how fast your heart is beating at a given time. Your pulse is how you can feel your heart rate. Every time your heart beats, it squeezes and propels blood through the network of arteries in your body. Your pulse is the pressure in your arteries going up briefly as your heart pushes out more blood to keep circulation going. Between beats, your heart relaxes, which brings the pressure back down again. That’s why each heartbeat feels like a single push rather than a constant flow of pressure like water through a hose. There are several places where the arteries are very close to your skin, some of which are easier to feel than others because of your body characteristics. Depending on the place, certain points are where it’s easiest for you or a healthcare professional to feel your pulse. What are the different ways to feel your pulse, and why do they matter?You can easily feel your pulse at the following points (use your index and ring finger together and don’t press too hard):
In addition to these arteries, healthcare providers may also feel for your pulse in other locations. These places can be tricky to find without training but can be very helpful when a provider is looking for a specific issue or problem.
How do I use my pulse to measure my heart rate?Once you’ve found your pulse (the easiest places are usually your neck or wrist), you can figure out your pulse rate by counting the number of heartbeats in 60 seconds. If you want an answer faster, all it takes is a little bit of math. The easiest ways to do that are:
The number you get from any of those three methods is your “beats per minute,” which is your heart rate. The abbreviation for beats per minute is “bpm.” If you find your heart rate when you’re not active, that’s your resting heart rate. You can also do this during or immediately after exercise. Finding your heart rate during exercise is a key way to know if your exercise is not intense enough, too intense or just right. Should I be able to hear my pulse in my ears?In some cases, yes, you can actually hear your pulse in your ears. Known as pulsatile tinnitus, this is sometimes possible by resting your head on your arm or hand. However, the sound should go away if you change position. If you can hear your pulse in your ears even after you change position, you should call your healthcare provider. What heart rate should I expect to have?Your resting heart rate depends on how old you are and your overall health. The younger you are, the higher your heart rate tends to be. The expected resting heart rate ranges for children are:
For adults (ages 18+), the expected resting heart rate range is 60 - 100 bpm. *These rates are for children while they’re awake. They will likely be lower when they’re asleep. What if my resting heart rate isn’t in the expected range?When your resting heart rate falls outside of these ranges, either too high or too low, it might be a sign of a problem.
However, an important detail to keep in mind if you are very physically active is that you might have a resting heart rate under 60 beats per minute. Competitive athletes can have resting heart rates as low as 40 bpm or so. For the average person, however, that rate would be dangerously low. What are my target and maximum heart rates?Your target heart rate is the ideal range to keep your heart in during moderate-intensity exercise. Moderate-intensity exercise is ideal because it is high enough that it is good for your heart but not so high that you strain yourself. If you want to exercise very strenuously, you can go up to around 95% of your maximum heart rate. You should be careful not to go too high, however. If you go too high, the potential risks outweigh the benefits. If you don't exercise regularly, you should also talk to your healthcare provider before starting an exercise routine. This is especially important if you have any health problems, particularly problems with your heart, breathing or circulation. Your healthcare provider is the best person to guide you on safe, effective ways to stay active without putting your overall well-being at risk. Use the following chart to find your maximum and target heart rates. The chart uses ages that are multiples of five, but the ways to calculate it yourself are also listed: AgeMaximum (220 - your age = maximum) Target (60% to 80% of maximum) Low (maximum x 0.6) — High (maximum x 0.8) 20200120 to 16025195117 to 15630190114 to 15235185111 to 14840180108 to 14445175105 to 14050170102 to 1365516599 to 1326016096 to 1286515593 to 1247015090 to 1207514587 to 1168014084 to 1128513581 to 1089013078 to 1049512575 to 10010012072 to 96What should I do if I’m concerned about my heart rate?If you have any concerns about your heart rate, you should talk to your primary healthcare provider. They are the best people who can either answer your questions or refer you to a specialist if necessary. Signs you should talk to your provider about your heart rate include:
You should also see your primary care provider at least once a year for an annual checkup or physical. Taking your heart rate is a normal part of that visit, and it’s also a way your provider can catch many problems early (including dangerous problems that have symptoms), many of which are treatable if caught early enough. A note from Cleveland Clinic Your heart rate is one of the simplest and easiest ways for you to keep tabs on your own health. It's also a simple way for your healthcare provider to catch health problems early or diagnose problems happening to you now. More importantly, understanding your heart rate — especially your target rate — is a way to exercise smarter and not just harder. That way, you can get the most out of your activity and take good care of yourself. Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/15/2022. References
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What are 3 ways to check your heart rate?How to check your heart rate. At the wrist, lightly press the index and middle fingers of one hand on the opposite wrist, just below the base of the thumb.. At the neck, lightly press the side of the neck, just below your jawbone.. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds, and multiply by four. That's your heart rate.. Where is the most accurate measurement of resting heart rate taken?The neck and wrists are the two most common sites for measuring pulse rate. To measure using your wrist, place your index and middle fingers on your radial artery located on the thumb side of your wrist. Press lightly to locate your pulse.
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