The heart is an organ located just behind and slightly to the left of the breastbone, and pumps blood through a network of veins and arteries known as the circulatory system. The right atrium is sent blood from the veins, and delivers it to the right ventricle. It's then pumped into the lungs where it is oxygenated. The left atrium is sent oxygen enriched blood from the lungs and delivers it to the left ventricle, where it's then pumped throughout the body, and the ventricular contractions create blood pressure.

1. Normal Resting Pulse Rate For Women Over 70
2. Normal Resting Pulse Men

Your pulse rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute. A normal resting heart rate should be 60–100 beats per minute, but it can vary from minute to minute. It can go up to 130–150 beats or higher per minute when you’re exercising – that’s normal because the body needs to pump more oxygen-rich blood around the body. 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 40bpm, although it may simply be that this is normal for you. A resting heart rate of 58 beats per minute (or 9.7 beats every 10 seconds) is slower than the 60 to 100 bpm range considered normal for adults. A heart rate below 60 bpm for adults is a condition called bradycardia and is usually abnormal. However, in the case of well-trained athletes a 58 pulse may be normal as heart rates as low as 40 bpm. You may need to move your fingers around slightly up or down until you feel the pulsing. Use a watch with a second hand, or look at a clock with a second hand. Count the beats you feel for 10 seconds. Multiply this number by six to get your heart rate (pulse) per minute. A pulse oximeter to check your oxygen saturation level and your heart rate at home.

A pulse is the beating of the heart as it's felt through the walls of an artery, such as the radial artery at the wrist. Pulse rates can also be felt and measured at the carotid artery located on the side of the neck, the temporal artery at the temple, or the femoral artery on the anterior side of the hip, and a chart showing normal heart rate can be used to check on your heart rate.

A resting heart rate is defined as a pulse that is taken when you are calm, sitting or lying down, and the best time to measure a resting heart rate is in the morning before you leave the bed. Generally speaking, a lower heart rate functions more effectively and efficiently.

How to Take Your Heart Rate

Check your own pulse by placing the tips of your first three fingers lightly on the inside of your wrist below your thumb. You can also check your pulse by placing two fingers on your neck beside the windpipe. You may have to feel around until you feel the pulse beneath your fingers. Once you feel a pulse, use the second hand of a watch or clock to time 10 seconds while simultaneously counting your heart beats. Then multiply the number of heartbeats by 6 to get your heart rate per minute, or number of beats = ______ x 6 = ______beats/min.

Then compare it to the normal heart rate chart below:

Chart. 1

Chart. 2

Factors That May Affect Your Heart Rate

Normally, your heart rate should have a strong steady rhythm. However, various factors may affect your heart rate and make it different to the ranges in the normal heart rate chart above. You can seek the advice of your health care provider for any health conditions you may have that can affect your pulse. Conditions may include:

Fast Pulse:

• Exercise or activity
• Medication
• Illness or fever
• Anemia
• Heart disease
• Stimulants such as amphetamines, diet pills, caffeine, and tobacco
• Alcohol consumption
• An overactive thyroid
• Stress

Normal Resting Pulse Rate For Women Over 70

Slow Pulse:

• High levels of fitness
• Heart disease and medication for treatment
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
• Body is at rest

Weak Pulse:

• Peripheral arterial disease (diseases of the blood vessels)
• Chronic heart disease/failure
• Possible blood clot

Your maximum heart rate is the highest heart rate that is achieved during strenuous exercise. One method to calculate your approximate maximum heart rate is the formula: 220 - (your age) = approximate maximum heart rate. For example, a 30 year old's approximate maximum heart rate is 220 - 30 = 190 beats/min.

Target heart rate: You can maximize the benefits and reduce the risks when you are exercising within your target heart rate zone. Your target heart rate when exercising is normally 60 to 80 percent of your maximum heart rate. This may be increased or decreased depending on your health factors, and your health care provider may want you to limit the target heart rate zone to 50 percent. However, it is not recommended to exceed 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. Anything above 85 percent increase risks to the orthopedic and cardiovascular system, with minimal added benefits from the exercise.

Normal Maximum and Target Heart Rate Chart

Besides a normal heart rate chart when resting, there're also normal ranges for heart rate during exercising. The following table shows the approximate target heart rates for various age groups.Find the age group closest to your age and find your target heart rate. The guidelines for moderately intense activities is about 50-69% of your maximum heart rate, and hard physical activity is about 70% to less than 90% of the maximum heart rate.

How Do You Know If You're in the Normal Zone of Target Heart Rate?

The following guideline will help you measure your heart rate to determine if you are in your target heart rate zone when you exercise.

Stop Momentarily: Measure the number of heartbeats you have for 15 seconds. Then multiply the number of beats by 4 to calculate beats per minute. For example, if you get 40 beats over 15 seconds, take 40 x 4 = 160, and if you are 30 years old, this puts you at the high end of your target heart rate. You can adjust your exercise if you are outside of the high/low target heart rate.

Did you know heart disease claims approximately one million lives per year? That’s why it’s so important to monitor your heart health and make any needed lifestyle changes early. A simple way to determine the healthiness of your heart is by analyzing your resting heart rate. Learning how to track your heart rate now could make all the difference in the future.

Heart rate, also known as pulse rate, refers to the number of heartbeats expressed per minute (bpm). Your heart rate varies depending on your body’s physical needs at any given moment, and in response to several other factors in your life.

Factors That Can Affect Heart Rate:

• Cardiovascular disease or diabetes: If you have one of these diseases, your heart is likely pumping out a lower amount of blood than needed which can increase your heart rate.
• Food and drink: Drinks such as coffee, tea and soda can raise your heart rate. It’s important to eat a balanced diet and include heart-healthy foods like avocados, walnuts and leafy greens. Keep in mind experts no longer recommend the food pyramid but rather MyPlate proportions.
• Medications: Certain medicines such as asthma medications, antibiotics, decongestants, and antidepressants could play a part in your heart rate. Be sure to speak to your doctor if you’re concerned.
• Body size: Carrying extra weight on your frame can put a strain on your arteries and veins making your heart beat faster.
• Stress levels: If you’re under a lot of stress, your heart will release adrenaline which speeds up your heart rate. Do what you can to manage your stress levels.
• Activity and fitness level: Your level of activeness plays a role in your heart rate. Because your heart is a muscle, it will become stronger and more efficient the more you work it. Add more activity into your life with LifeSpan fitness equipment.

Calculating your resting heart rate (RHR) is a simple indicator of your cardiovascular health. A healthy heart that is in good shape doesn’t have to beat as often to pump blood to the body. A healthy heart is strong and more efficient, pumping more blood at a higher rate while efficiently circulating oxygen throughout your body. Be aware, an RHR reading that is too low or too high may indicate an underlying health issue.

How to Calculate Your Resting Heart Rate

Measuring your RHR is simple and can be determined in just a few minutes with a heart rate chest strap. Or you can calculate your RHR on your own with just a timer. All you have to do is find a seat in a comfortable environment, take a deep breath and relax. Stay seated and as motionless as possible for 5-10 minutes, allowing your body to rest.

Once sufficient time has passed, locate your radial artery, or the pulse on the underside of your wrist by gently applying pressure with your index and middle fingers. Use a digital stopwatch or a watch with a second hand to count how many beats you feel in ten seconds.

Repeat this calculation two or three times and find your average number. Multiply this number by six to find your RHR. For example, if you count 12 beats in ten seconds, your RHR would be 72 BPM (12 x 6 = 72).

Be sure to check your heart rate regularly. Tools such as heart rate chest straps and smartwatches make it easy. Plus, many treadmills also have heart rate sensors built into the handles so you can get an accurate reading during your workout. Routinely check your RHR and make a record of your results to see your true RHR over time.

What Do The Numbers Mean?

This resting heart rate chart shows the normal range for an RHR according to age and physical condition. Remember, many things can cause changes in your normal heart rate so take those factors into account.

Normal Resting Pulse Men

At the end of the day, your heart is a muscle so the trick to keeping it healthy is similar to the way you keep your muscles strong. Be sure to eat a balanced diet and find a form of cardio that works for you. At LifeSpan, we believe in wellness for everyone, no matter what stage of life you are in. Whether you need help understanding your blood pressure or figuring out which exercise bike is best for you, we’ve got your back.