My Heart Rate Is 110 BPM When Walking Slowly

There are several factors that affect your heart rate including your age, sex, weight, concomitant medical conditions, and fitness level. A resting heart rate of 110 is high but may not be abnormal for you depending on specific factors. Conversely, it can also represent a cardiac condition that would need further investigation by your healthcare provider.

Your heart rate can change suddenly based on several considerations, and activity is a major contributor. 'Walking slowly' is subjective unless you are being observed by medical professionals under controlled conditions such as walking on a treadmill. In that instance, your actual walking speed can be monitored and your activity level factored into the change in your heart rate. Measuring your pulse or heart rate at rest is a better indicator because 'at rest' is understood to mean no movement or activity at all.

The experts at the Mayo Clinic suggest the normal resting heart rate for an adult is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. If you are a healthy adult, the lower your resting heart rate is the better. If you are a trained athlete, your resting heart rate may be 40 beats per minute. However, this is normal because your heart is able to pump blood through your body more efficiently. To make an accurate determination of your heart rate, take your pulse when you are sitting down at rest, not moving or walking.

If you are concerned about your heart rate, it is important to get an accurate pulse reading while at rest rather than walking. The National Institute of Health provides guidelines on how to measure your pulse. First, you will need to rest for ten minutes before checking your pulse. You may measure your pulse at your wrist, your neck, inside your groin, the back of your knee, or your temple. The wrist is a good place because it is easily accessible. Put the tips of your index and middle finger on the top inside of your opposite wrist below your thumb. Press firmly with just the tips of your fingers until you feel your pulse. Use a clock or watch with a second hand and count your heart beats for thirty seconds. Multiply this number by two to get your beats per minute.

If your resting heart rate is consistently above 100 beats per minute, you may have a cardiac condition known as tachycardia or rapid heart beat. If you experience other symptoms including fainting, dizziness, high blood pressure, sleep apnea or shortness of breath, the experts at the Mayo Clinic suggest you see your healthcare provider. Your tachycardia could be the result of medication side effects, other problems such as abnormal heart valves, hyperthyroidism or other metabolic imbalances, exposure to cardiac stimulants including alcohol, caffeine and tobacco, your age, other heart abnormalities, and genetics.