The average normal resting heart rate for an adult is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Expect a resting heart rate of 40 to 60 beats per minute for some who are extremely physically fit. Exercise, medicines, food and daily activities are all things that affect heart rate by increasing or decreasing the number of beats per minute.
Exercise
Exercising, such as walking, jogging, bicycling and swimming, affects the heart rate. A good exercise plan will temporarily increase the heart rate to a specific target range based on age. The American Heart Association recommends a target heart rate for all age levels to maximize the benefits of exercising. Over the long run, a good exercise regimen will lower the resting heart rate.
Drugs That Increase Heart Rate
Many medications affect the heart by causing an increase in the heart rate. Epinephrine, used for treating asthma and other breathing problems, and pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, can cause a rapid heartbeat. Side effects of antidepressants, such as Prozac, Elavil and Tofranil, include increasing the heart rate. Bronchodilators, antihistamines and thyroid medications may cause the heart to beat rapidly.
Drugs That Decrease Heart Rate
Medications that slow the heart rate include beta blockers such as propranolol, atenolol and metoprolol. Mayo Clinic suggests people taking a beta blocker may want to lower their exercise target heart rate to adjust for the effect of the medication. Other medications that lower the heart rate include digitalis and calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem, nifedipine and verapamil.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a common stimulant that increases the heart rate. The amount of caffeine required to affect the heart rate depends on gender, height, weight and age. Health.nytimes.com says a moderate intake of caffeine for adults is about 250 mg per day. Children should have even less caffeine or should avoid it entirely. Drinks that may contain caffeine are coffee, tea, sodas and energy drinks. Some medications, such as pain relievers and cold medicines, contain caffeine.
Emotions
Fear, anxiety and panic invoke the body's natural "fight or flight" reaction. This reaction causes a sudden increase in the heart rate. These emotions may subside only to surface again if a person relives what happened to cause this reaction--that is, memory of an event can affect the heart rate as much as the event itself.
Relaxation
People may experience a decrease in heart rate when they reduce stress levels. The Mayo Clinic recommends learning relaxation techniques such as yoga, massage, meditation and visualization, as well as massage and listening to music, to lower stress levels and the heart rate.
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