Resting Heart Rate Checker
Find out what your resting heart rate says about your cardiovascular health and fitness. Understand whether your pulse is in a healthy range.
Measured at rest, ideally in the morning before getting up
What is resting heart rate?
Your resting heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute while you are at complete rest. It is one of the simplest and most revealing measures of cardiovascular health. A lower resting heart rate generally indicates a more efficient heart and better fitness, because a well-conditioned heart pumps more blood with each beat and so needs fewer beats. For most adults, a normal resting heart rate falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
What your number means
A resting heart rate below 60 beats per minute is common in physically active people and athletes, whose hearts are highly efficient. Between 60 and 80 is a healthy normal range for most adults. Between 80 and 100 is still within normal but at the higher end, and may improve with regular aerobic exercise. A consistently resting rate above 100, known as tachycardia, or unusually below 60 with symptoms like dizziness, should be evaluated by a doctor.
What affects resting heart rate?
Many factors influence your resting heart rate. Fitness level is the biggest — regular aerobic exercise lowers it over time. Other influences include age, stress and anxiety, caffeine and other stimulants, dehydration, body temperature, certain medications, hormones, and illness or fever. Because of this, a single high reading is not necessarily a concern; what matters more is your typical resting rate measured under calm, consistent conditions over time.
How to lower a high resting heart rate
If your resting heart rate is at the higher end, regular aerobic exercise is the most effective way to bring it down, as cardiovascular conditioning strengthens the heart. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, reducing caffeine and alcohol, staying well hydrated, maintaining a healthy weight and getting enough sleep all help too. If your resting heart rate is persistently high despite these measures, or comes with palpitations, breathlessness or chest discomfort, see a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most adults, a normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Physically fit people and athletes often have rates below 60, which is usually healthy. A resting heart rate consistently above 100 should be checked by a doctor.
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Sources & References
- 1.American Heart Association. All About Heart Rate (Pulse).
- 2.Harvard Health Publishing. What your heart rate is telling you.
- 3.NHS. How to check your pulse.
LifeCheckIQ content is based on peer-reviewed research, recognised clinical guidelines, and authoritative medical sources, and is reviewed by Deborah Adotso, General Nurse, for clinical accuracy.
Medical Disclaimer: This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. Results are not a medical diagnosis. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In an emergency, call your local emergency number or visit the nearest hospital immediately.