Your pulse rate, or heart rate, is your number of heartbeats per minute. Knowing your pulse rate can give you key information about your health and fitness level.
A "normal" pulse rate is actually a range rather than a specific number. It's dependent on a number of contributing factors, including your age, activity level and stress level. Temperature, strong emotions, your body position and your weight can also affect your pulse rate.
How to Measure
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, you can measure your pulse in a number of areas of your body where an artery passes close to the surface of your skin. Most people choose to measure their pulse at their wrist or on their neck. To measure at your wrist, place your index finger and middle finger on the underside of your opposite wrist below the base of your thumb. To measure at your neck, place your index finger and middle finger in the soft, hollow area of your neck.
Regardless of the location, press firmly until you feel your pulse. Then count the number of beats for one minute, or count the number of beats for 30 seconds and then multiply your result by two. This number is your pulse rate. To determine your resting pulse, measure when you have been resting for at least 10 minutes. To determine your exercise pulse rate, measure your pulse while exercising.
Do not use your thumb to measure your pulse rate, as you can also feel your pulse in your thumb and this will lead to an inaccurate measurement.
What's Normal at Rest
Usually, a normal resting pulse is between 60 and 90. More specifically, the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association reports that 100 to 160 beats per minute is normal for newborn infants at rest; 70 to 120 beats per minute is normal for children up to 10 years of age at rest; 60 to 90 beats per minute is normal for teenagers at rest; 60 to 100 beats per minute is normal for adults and seniors at rest; and 40 to 60 beats per minute is normal for well-trained athletes at rest.
What's Normal During Moderate Exercise
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that your pulse rate during moderate exercise should be 50 to 70 percent of your maximum pulse rate (220 beats per minute). Subtract your age from 220 and multiply by .5 and .7 to find the lower and higher pulse range for moderate exercise.
What's Normal During Intense Exercise
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that your pulse rate during intense exercise should be 70 to 85 percent of your maximum pulse rate (220 beats/minute). Subtract your age from 220 and multiply by .7 and .85 to find the lower and higher pulse range for intense exercise.
What It Means
According to the National Emergency Medical Association, knowing if your pulse rate deviates from your normal pulse rate can help you identify if you have a health condition. If it's too fast, you could be experiencing tachycardia (a too-fast heart rate), you may have an infection or you could be dehydrated. If it's too slow, you could be experiencing bradycardia (a too-slow heart rate), which can be dangerous if accompanied by low blood pressure. Symptoms of a low heart rate or pulse include loss of energy and fainting.
A very firm pulse rate that lasts for more than a few minutes or an irregular pulse rate can also indicate health problems. A pulse that is hard to find or feel could also indicate a health problem.
It's important to note that some high blood pressure medications lower your heart rate according to the American Heart Association. If you are taking high blood pressure medication, talk with your physician about your normal pulse rate range.
If you find your pulse usually matches one of these descriptions, consult with your physician.
