Your heart rate, or pulse, is how many times your heart beats per minute. Your heart rate is lower when you are at rest -- called your resting heart rate -- and higher when you exercise. Your target heart rate is the rate at which you get the most benefit without tiring too quickly while exercising, and your maximum heart rate is the estimated maximum number of times per minute your heart is capable of beating.
Normal Heart Rate
A normal resting heart rate for adults, including seniors, is 60 to 100 beats per minute. The normal range for well-trained athletes is lower at 40 to 60 beats per minute. In healthy adults, a lower heart rate typically indicates that your heart is functioning more efficiently and that you have better cardiovascular fitness than someone with a higher heart rate.
Target Heart Rate
Your target heart rate is a percentage of your maximum heart rate, which varies with age. A good estimation of your maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age in years. The recommended range for your target heart rate -- called your target heart rate zone -- is 50 to 90 percent of your maximum heart rate, depending on the professional making the recommendation. The American Heart Association recommends 50 to 85 percent, MedlinePlus recommends 60 to 90 percent and the Cleveland Clinic's recommendation is 60 to 85 percent. Your doctor can determine the best target heart rate zone for you based on your physical condition and any medications you are taking that can affect your heart during exercise.
Checking Your Heart Rate
You can check your heart rate by taking your pulse. With the palm of your hand face up, hold two fingers on the thumb side of your wrist. When you can feel your pulse, use a clock or watch to time yourself and count the number of beats in 10 seconds. Multiply the number of beats in 10 seconds by six to determine your heart rate per minute. You can also check your pulse at other points on your body where an artery passes close to the skin, such as the neck, temple and back of the knees.
Abnormal Heart Rate
An abnormal heart rate may indicate a health problem. The name for a resting heart rate that is consistently above 100 is tachycardia. You have bradycardia if your resting heart rate is consistently below 60. You should consult your doctor if you experience either of these conditions.
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