Heart rate can be defined as the figure, which indicates how many times does your heart beat in a minute. Similarly, resting heart rate is defined as the heart rate when our body is at rest. Resting heart rate can be abbreviated as RHR and the beats per minute (bpm) is the unit used to measure the resting heart rate. Resting heart rate indicates the heart health and fitness level of an individual. More over, it also reflects whether our lungs and heart are working effectively. Hence, it is important for every person to know his/her resting heart rate.
A healthy person is supposed to have a lower resting heart rate. This is because, an efficient heart can pump more blood per beat. Resting heart rate also determines the strength and efficiency of the cardiovascular system of a person. Let us take a look at resting heart rate calculator.
The factors that influence the resting heart rate are:
- Age
- Anxiety
- Gender
- Medication
- Activity Level
How to Calculate Resting Heart Rate?
As mentioned earlier, it is very easy to find out your resting heart rate. Since, resting heart rate is the heart rate when our body is at rest, the time when you measure your resting heart rate is very important. The best time to measure your resting heart rate is early morning, before you get out of your bed. Follow the steps given below to measure your resting heart rate:
- Once you wake, up rest your body for at least 10-15 minutes.
- You can either measure your radial pulse or carotid pulse to calculate resting heart rate.
- Radial pulse is the one measured at the wrist, while carotid pulse is the one measured at the neck.
- Measure the pulse rate for 10 seconds and multiply the result by 6.
- The obtained result is nothing but your resting heart rate.
You should never rely on a single reading of RHR, always calculate your average resting heart rate by calculating RHR for at least 3-4 times a week. A normal resting heart rate for adults is somewhere between 60-100 bpm. Read more on:
- What is Normal Heart Rate
- How to Determine your Target Heart Rate
What does Your Resting Heart Rate Indicate?
Once you find out your resting heart rate, it is time to analyze the result. Resting heart rate results are different for men and women. Men usually have a lower resting heart rate as compared to women. Physical trainers promote that keeping a track of resting heart rate during a physical fitness program can help in better analysis of health progress. Because, when you are under physical training, you are improving the efficiency of your heart to pump more blood per beat and thus, your resting heart rate should also improve. Given below is a resting heart rate chart for men and women. The chart specifies the resting heart rate, that men and women of particular age should ideally have.
Resting Heart Rate for Men
| Age | RHR for Athletes | Excellent | Good | Above Average | Average | Below Average | Poor |
| 18-25 | 49-55 | 56-61 | 62-65 | 66-69 | 70-73 | 74-81 | 82+ |
| 26-35 | 49-54 | 55-61 | 62-65 | 66-70 | 71-74 | 75-81 | 82+ |
| 36-45 | 50-56 | 57-62 | 63-66 | 67-70 | 71-75 | 76-82 | 83+ |
| 46-55 | 50-57 | 58-63 | 64-67 | 68-71 | 72-76 | 77-83 | 84+ |
| 56-65 | 51-56 | 57-61 | 62-67 | 68-71 | 72-75 | 76-81 | 82+ |
| 65+ | 50-55 | 56-61 | 62-65 | 66-69 | 70-73 | 74-79 | 80+ |
Resting Heart Rate for Women
| Age | RHR for Athletes | Excellent | Good | Above Average | Average | Below Average | Poor |
| 18-25 | 54-60 | 61-65 | 66-69 | 70-73 | 74-78 | 79-84 | 85+ |
| 26-35 | 54-59 | 60-64 | 65-68 | 69-72 | 73-76 | 77-82 | 83+ |
| 36-45 | 54-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-73 | 74-78 | 79-84 | 85+ |
| 46-55 | 54-60 | 61-65 | 66-69 | 70-73 | 74-77 | 78-83 | 84+ |
| 56-65 | 54-59 | 60-64 | 65-68 | 69-73 | 74-77 | 78-83 | 84+ |
| 65+ | 54-59 | 60-64 | 65-68 | 69-72 | 73-76 | 77-84 | 84+ |
Higher resting heart rate has been directly linked to increased risk of getting an heart attack. Resting heart rate calculator will help you to know what exact resting heart rate you should have. So, it is quite clear that one should always keep an eye on his/her resting heart rate calculator, to maintain a healthy heart and thus, a healthy body.
