Your pulse rate--often called your heart rate--is how many times your heart beats per minute. Your pulse is one of several vital signs that can reveal important information about your health. An abnormally low or high pulse is often a symptom of an underlying medical condition, the Mayo Clinic says. Because normal rates vary considerably from one person to another, it's important to determine what a normal rate is for you.
Types
Your resting pulse rate is your heart rate when you have been at rest for at least 10 minutes. Your exercise heart rate is your pulse while exercising. The resting pulse rate is lower than the exercise rate, the Cleveland Clinic explains, because the body uses more oxygen-rich blood when exercising.
Identification
A normal resting pulse rate for healthy adults and children older than 10 is 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm), according to the National Institutes of Health. A normal pulse for children age 1 to 10 years is 70 to 120 bpm; for infants, the range is 100 to 160 bpm. For well-conditioned athletes, a normal pulse rate is 40 to 60 bpm. In healthy adults, a lower pulse typically implies better cardiovascular fitness and more efficient heart function.
Considerations
The pulse is measured at points on the body where an artery passes close to the skin. These areas include the wrist, neck, back of the knees, temple, groin and the top or inner side of the foot.
Features
Many variables can affect your pulse rate, including your fitness and activity levels, air temperature, emotional state and body size. Your body position--standing or lying down, for example--can also affect your pulse rate, as can certain medications.
Significance
An abnormal pulse rate may indicate a condition that requires medical attention. For example, an abnormally fast pulse may indicate dehydration, an infection, anxiety or hormone problems, according to the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago. A slow pulse may indicate heart blockage or low thyroid hormone levels. A faint pulse may signal blockages in the artery, a condition common in people with diabetes or high cholesterol.
