what should a resting heart rate be
Most healthy adults have a resting heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm). Very fit people, especially endurance athletes, can have resting heart rates in the 40s or 50s and still be normal if they feel well.
Quick Scoop: Key Numbers
- Adults (18+): about 60–100 bpm is considered a normal resting heart rate.
- “Good” range for many healthy adults: often closer to 55–85 bpm, with lower within this range generally linked to better cardiovascular fitness.
- Well‑trained athletes: can be in the 40s and still be normal if there are no symptoms like dizziness, fainting, or chest pain.
- Kids and babies: usually have higher normal resting heart rates than adults (varies by age).
Age and average resting heart rate (adults)
| Age range (years) | Average resting heart rate (bpm) |
|---|---|
| 18–20 | ~82 bpm | [5]
| 21–30 | ~80 bpm | [5]
| 31–40 | ~79 bpm | [5]
| 41–50 | ~75 bpm | [5]
| 51–60 | ~74 bpm | [5]
| 61–70 | ~73 bpm | [5]
| 71–80 | ~74 bpm | [5]
| Over 80 | ~78 bpm | [5]
How to check it properly
- Sit or lie down and rest quietly for at least 5 minutes first.
- Count your pulse at your wrist or neck for 30 seconds and double it, or for 60 seconds for a direct reading.
- Measure at the same time each day (many people use first thing in the morning) for a more stable baseline.
When a heart rate might be a concern
You should consider talking to a doctor or urgent care if:
- Resting heart rate is consistently over 100 bpm (tachycardia) when you’re calm and not ill, especially if you feel palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, or lightheadedness.
- Resting heart rate is under about 50 bpm and you’re not an endurance athlete, particularly if you feel dizzy, weak, faint, or unusually tired.
- Your normal resting heart rate suddenly jumps up or down and stays there without a clear reason (like fever, anxiety, new medication, or heavy exercise).
What affects resting heart rate?
- Fitness level and regular exercise (often lowers resting heart rate).
- Age (average resting rates tend to change slightly across adulthood).
- Medications (for example, beta‑blockers lower heart rate; stimulants can raise it).
- Stress, anxiety, sleep quality, temperature, dehydration, and caffeine or nicotine use.
- Underlying conditions such as thyroid disorders, anemia, heart disease, or infections.
Quick example
Imagine two people:
- Person A rarely exercises, has a resting heart rate of 92 bpm, and feels easily winded climbing stairs. This is within the “normal” 60–100 bpm range but on the higher side and might be a signal to work on fitness or check in with a clinician if it stays high.
- Person B is a regular runner with a resting heart rate of 48 bpm and feels energetic with no dizziness or fainting. For them, that lower rate may simply reflect strong cardiovascular conditioning.
Bottom line: For most adults, a resting heart rate between about 60 and 100 bpm is considered normal, but closer to the lower end of that range is often a sign of better fitness—as long as you feel well. If your number is consistently high, unusually low, or suddenly different from your normal, it’s wise to get it checked.
TL;DR: A typical resting heart rate is 60–100 bpm for adults, and lower within that range is often better, especially if you’re active and feel fine. If you’re worried about your number or have symptoms, see a healthcare professional promptly.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.