Normal heart rate and how to count it

When you are surprised or after a morning run, you will definitely notice that your heart rate feels faster than when you are relaxing. Actually, what is a heart rate and what is the normal limit? Come on, understand more deeply the normal heart rate (pulse) and the various things that affect it in the following review.

Normal heart rate based on age

The heart is a vital organ whose job is to pump blood throughout the body. This allows oxygen-rich blood to reach all the cells in your body. To check heart health, the doctor will usually observe how normal the blood pressure and heart rate are.

The heart rate or what is often referred to as the pulse is the number of times your heart beats per minute. A normal heart rate or pulse rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (BPM). However, the number of normal pulse rates can also be categorized based on age, namely:

Heart rate (pulse) is normal in infants and children

Newborns to months of age, ranging from 70-190 beats per minute.
Infants 1 to 11 months of age, ranging from 80-150 beats per minute.
Children 1 to 2 years old, ranging from 80-130 beats per minute.
Children aged 3 to 4 years, ranging from 80-120 beats per minute.
Children aged 3 to 4 years, ranging from 80-120 beats per minute
Children 5 to 6 years old, ranging from 75-115 beats per minute.
Children 7 to 9 years old, ranging from 70-110 beats per minute.
Children aged 10 years and over have a normal heart rate of around 60-100 beats per minute.

How to count heart rate

Taking your heart rate is easy, and you can use your number as a guide to how hard you need to work out in the future.

To measure heart rate, all you need is numeracy skills and a stopwatch. However, it is important to choose the time when to calculate it. You will get the most accurate reading of your heart rate rhythm as soon as you wake up in the morning.

Place the index and middle finger tips of the right hand on the palm side of the left wrist (or vice versa), just below the base of the thumb. Or, place the tips of your index and third finger on the neck of your lower jaw on one side of your throat. Do not use your thumb, as your thumb has a light beating that can confuse you when counting.
Gently press your finger until you feel a pulse under your finger. You may need to move your finger around it until you feel a pulse.
Count your pulse in 15 seconds. Multiply the result by 4 to get your resting pulse rate per minute. You can count your pulse three times, then take the average of the three to be absolutely sure.

Various things that affect normal heart rate

Your pulse can go higher or lower than the limit it should be. Apart from age, changes in heart rate are also influenced by various things, including:

Physical activity

When you are doing physical activity, such as sports, your heart rate that was originally normal can increase. This is because your body needs more oxygen to produce energy so your heart has to pump oxygen-rich blood around your body faster.

Reporting from the American Heart Association, as long as you do moderate intensity activity, your target heart rate is usually around 50-70% of your maximum heart rate. Meanwhile, if you do high-intensity activities, your target heart rate is around 70-85% of your maximum heart rate.

For example, you are 20 years old and have a maximum pulse rate of 200 BPM, and are doing high-intensity exercise. So, the maximum limit is 200 BPM x 70 or 80%, so your heart rate at that time is around 140-160 beats per minute. This heart rate is of course different in size when you are resting.

Air temperature

The normal heart rate can also change depending on the temperature of the air around you. If the room temperature is high, the heart rate will increase. This happens because hot air triggers the heart to pump more blood. Typically, your heart rate will increase by an additional 5-10 beats per minute.

Body position

When your body is sitting or standing, your pulse will not be different. However, after you stand for the first 15-20 seconds, your pulse will go up slightly. After a few minutes, the increased pulse will return to its original number.

Emotions

Stress can also change your normal heart rate. In addition, various other emotions, such as anxiety, anger, sadness, and happiness, can also change your total heart rate per minute.

Fat body

People who are fat, usually have a resting pulse that is higher than normal. However, no more than 100 beats per minute.

Use of certain drugs

Medication can also affect normal heart rate. Examples of such drugs are drugs to treat thyroid problems, beta blocker drugs, cold medicines, heart disease drugs, asthma medications, and calcium blocking drugs.

Certain health problems

Normal heart rate can also be disrupted due to health problems. Most often, this condition affects people with heart disease, such as a heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia).

Either a weaker heart rate below 60 BPM (bradycardia) or a faster rate above 100 BPM (tachycardia). In addition, people with diabetes and high cholesterol levels.

When bradycardia occurs, you will usually experience dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, and a feeling of fainting. Meanwhile, when tachycardia occurs, you will experience shortness of breath, a fast heartbeat accompanied by pain in the chest, and a feeling of wanting to pass out.

If you experience these symptoms, go to a doctor immediately or ask a doctor for help. The reason is, these symptoms show signs of a life-threatening emergency, so they need immediate treatment.