The heart rate is an important vital sign that is measured and analyzed to assess overall heart and blood vessel health. There are several types of disorders that can cause changes and fluctuations in heart rate including serious conditions such as high blood pressure and a heart attack.
Definition
The heart rate is defined as the number of heart beats per minute. The American Heart Association advises that a normal heart rate at rest ranges between 60 to 100 beats per minute. A very physically fit individual can have a resting heart rate as low as 40 beats per minute. A lower resting heart rate usually indicates greater cardiovascular health and more efficient heart function.
Measurement
Heart rate can be measured in several ways. It can be checked at home simply by placing two fingers on the side of the wrist or neck and counting the beats in a 15 second interval and multiplying by four to get the per-minute rate. Heart rate is routinely checked during visits to a doctor's office. An electrocardiogram, or EKG, measures the beats per minute and shows the changes in the heart rate due to fluctuations in the electrical impulses in the heart as well as which area of the heart is causing the changes.
Tachycardia
A chronic, high resting heart rate may be due to tachycardia, or a rapid heart rate. The Mayo Clinic advises that a heart rate that is continually above 100 beats per minute at rest is typically diagnosed as tachycardia and can be caused by a number of factors including heart murmurs, heart valve disease, hypertension and hormonal imbalances. Tachycardia can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness and fainting.
Bradycardia
The Mayo Clinic defines bradycardia as a consistently slow heart rate that can signal decreased heart function. A resting heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute is diagnosed as bradycardia. This condition can lead to or indicate problems in some individuals. Bradycardia may mean that the heart is not able to effectively pump oxygen-carrying blood throughout the body. Symptoms such as fainting, heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest can occur.
Arrhythmias
A rhythm problem in the heart occurs when the heart rate is irregular. According to the Mayo Clinic, this typically occurs when the natural pacemaker of the heart, the sinoatrial, or SA, node begins to misfire leading to irregular beating of the heart. Heart arrhythmias are common and in most individuals do not cause symptoms or health complications. An irregular heart rhythm can indicate heart murmurs, heart valve problems and coronary artery disease.
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