The average resting adult human heartbeat is often cited as being around 60-100 beats per minute (bpm). However, sources vary on the exact normal range. Understanding your average heartbeat can provide insight into your overall heart health. In this article, we’ll explore the evidence behind the claim that 72 bpm is the average and look at factors that influence heart rate.
What is Considered a Normal Heartbeat?
Your heartbeat, or heart rate, is controlled by electrical signals that cause your heart muscles to contract and pump blood. The number of contractions per minute determines your heart rate. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 bpm. However, the typical adult resting heart rate is often pegged at 72 bpm specifically. Let’s look at some of the evidence behind this figure:
– A large study published in the Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology measured the resting heart rates of over 35,000 healthy adults. The average heart rate was 71.88 bpm overall, 72.7 bpm for men and 70.7 bpm for women.
– A study in the Indian Heart Journal examined athlete heart rates. In a sample of 201 healthy male athletes, the average resting heart rate was 71.56 bpm.
– Research in the journal Heart Rhythm focused on heart rate patterns during sleep. In over 1000 healthy adults, the average nighttime heart rate was determined to be 63 bpm and the average daytime rate 71 bpm.
– The Cleveland Clinic states that a normal resting heart rate is between 60 to 100 bpm, with the average being around 72 bpm.
Normal Heart Rate Range by Age
While 72 bpm may be the average across adults, normal resting heart rate does vary by age. Here is an overview of the typical normal ranges:
| Age | Normal Heart Rate Range (bpm) |
|---|---|
| Newborns (birth to 3 months) | 70-190 |
| Infants (3 months to 2 years) | 80-130 |
| Toddlers (2-4 years) | 80-120 |
| Preschoolers (4-6 years) | 75-115 |
| School-age children (6-12 years) | 70-110 |
| Teenagers (12-18 years) | 60-105 |
| Younger adults (18-40 years) | 60-100 |
| Middle-aged adults (40-60 years) | 60-100 |
| Older adults (60+ years) | 60-100 |
As shown, newborns start with very rapid heart rates that gradually slow over childhood. By adulthood, the normal range stays consistent between 60-100 bpm but the average slowly rises from about 70 bpm in early adulthood to 75 bpm by old age.
Factors That Influence Resting Heart Rate
Many factors can cause a person’s resting heart rate to be higher or lower than the average of 72 bpm. Some key influences include:
Age
As discussed above, heart rate steadily declines from birth through adolescence as the heart grows and becomes more efficient at pumping blood. Heart rate starts to gradually increase again as adults get older.
Genetics
Like other traits, heart rate is partly determined by genetics and can run in families. Your innate heart rhythm may make your rate faster or slower.
Fitness Level
People who engage in regular aerobic exercise tend to have lower resting heart rates because their hearts have become more efficient. Athletes often have very slow heart rates.
Medical Conditions
Some conditions directly impact the heart’s electrical system to increase resting rate. These include an overactive thyroid, high blood pressure, heart damage, anemia, sleep apnea, and more.
Medications
Many medications have the side effect of increasing heart rate including cold medicines, antidepressants, corticosteroids, stimulants for ADHD, and more. Always check medication side effects.
Body Position
Heart rate tends to be a bit faster when standing up compared to lying down. Gravity causes blood to pool in the legs while standing.
Stress and Anxiety
Activation of the body’s fight-or-flight response will temporarily speed up heart rate along with other physical changes. Chronic stress can prolong a faster heart rate.
Caffeine and Nicotine
Both caffeine and nicotine are stimulants that elevate heart rate for up to several hours after consumption.
Dehydration
Being dehydrated thickens the blood and makes it harder for the heart to pump, driving the rate up.
Is a Heart Rate of 72 Beats Per Minute Healthy?
A resting heart rate of 72 bpm falls right within the normal 60 to 100 bpm range and can generally be considered healthy for adults. However, optimal heart rate can vary significantly based on individual fitness level, age, and activity. Here are some heart rate guidelines based on common profiles:
– For athletes and other highly active people, an average closer to 60 bpm is common and healthy due to an efficient heart.
– Older adults tend to have somewhat higher average rates around 75 bpm as a normal age-related increase.
– Pregnant women often see an increase of 15-20 bpm above their usual resting rate.
– Children have much faster normal rates as noted earlier.
So while 72 bpm may be average, an individual rate of 60, 75, 80, or even 100 bpm can still be healthy depending on your situation. It’s best to compare your personal resting heart rate to your own normal range and discuss concerning changes with your doctor.
When is Heart Rate Too High or Low?
In some cases, a resting heart rate consistently outside the normal range may signal an underlying heart condition or other issue:
Bradycardia
This refers to an abnormally slow heart rate below 60 bpm in adults. Bradycardia may be harmless for healthy athletes. But it can also result from disorders lowering heart rate too far and reducing blood flow.
Tachycardia
This is the term for a resting heart rate exceeding 100 bpm in adults, which is faster than normal. Tachycardia becomes more likely when the heart is damaged, stressed, or influenced by hormones and stimulants.
Irregular Heart Rhythm
An erratic heartbeat that alternates between rapid and slow may signal heart dysfunction. Tracking your heart rate patterns over time is important.
Always see a doctor if your heart rate feels consistently too fast, slow, or irregular. Ongoing monitoring through taking your pulse daily can also help identify abnormal patterns.
Tracking and Measuring Your Heart Rate
To monitor your resting heart rate and identify any concerning changes, it’s important to measure it correctly:
– Use a heart rate monitor or fitness tracker for convenience, but be aware they can sometimes be inaccurate.
– Take your pulse by placing two fingers on your wrist or the side of your neck and counting the beats per minute.
– Measure in the morning before getting out of bed for your resting rate unaffected by daytime activities.
– Measure for at least 30 seconds and multiply by two to calculate beats per minute.
– Take measurements over several days and average them to identify your normal range.
– Compare changes in your average heart rate over longer periods like months or years.
– Notify your doctor of sudden increases or decreases of 10 bpm or more.
Tracking heart rate along with lifestyle factors can also help identify causes of fluctuations like stress, fatigue, illness, stimulants, etc.
Conclusion
Overall, the average adult resting heart rate is estimated to be around 72 beats per minute. However, a normal heartbeat can range from 60-100 bpm and depends on your age, fitness, health status, and other factors. While 72 bpm is average, higher or lower rates may still be healthy based on your situation. Monitoring your heart rate over time and looking for significant changes is key to identifying potential abnormalities that require medical attention.