What Is The Normal Heart Rate For An Adult? Here Are The Facts And Explanations

Illustration of the normal adult heart rate (Pexels/Jens Mahnke)

YOGYAKARTA – Heart rate is an important indicator that marks the health of the human body. The rate at which the heart beats varies depending on physical activity and emotional response. In adults, what is the normal heart rate?

Normal heart rate does not guarantee a person does not have health problems. Heart rate measures the number of times the heart beats per minute. After the age of 10, a person's heart rate should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute while they are resting. When does the heart beat faster or slower?

Your heart will beat faster when you exercise. Everyone has a recommended maximum heart rate, depending on their age. In addition to heart rate, heart rhythm is also important. Because with a regular rhythm, the heart beats more regularly too.

Launching Medical News Today, the NIH (The United States National Institutes of Health) publishes a list of normal resting heart rates. At the age of over 10 years, normally the heart beats between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm). If a highly trained athlete, at rest his heart rate is below 60 bpm, it can even reach 40 bpm.

Illustration of what is the normal heart rate for adults (Pexels/Pavel Danilyuk)

Things that affect the heart rate increase and decrease, including physical activity, body temperature, emotional triggers, body position, and changes in position. What happens when the heart beats?

The heart beats when it pumps blood containing oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. It then carries the waste back to the heart. In a healthy heart, blood is supplied in the right amount. For example, when frightened or surprised, the hormone adrenaline automatically gives a signal for the heart to beat faster. This prepares the body to use more oxygen and enough energy to deal with danger.

The heart rate is different from the pulse. But the pulse is the effect of contraction and response to the pumping action of the heart. So measuring the pulse can be one way to measure whether the heart rate is normal or not, although it is not always precise.

One type of exercise that is recommended to reduce the target heart is cardiovascular exercise. With cardio training, the target heart rate can be adjusted according to age so that the heart's ability will be optimal.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the maximum heart rate during exercise should be approximately equal to 220 bpm minus the person's age. For example, if you have a heart rate of 220 bpm when you exercise at the age of 48, that means your maximum heart rate is 172 bpm. When exercising and heart rate varies, including normal. Because it is also associated with anxiety, excitement, and fear.

So, if you feel like your heart is beating out of rhythm, or too fast or too slow, talk to your doctor about your symptoms.