What should bpm be

This is called your resting heart rate. If you've been active, you'll need to wait at least five minutes before taking your pulse. When you're active, your heart beats faster to get more oxygen to your working muscles.

The harder your body is working, the faster your heart will beat. For example, your heart rate when you're sprinting will be much faster than your heart rate when you're walking. If you're exercising hard it's normal for your heart rate to get up to beats per minute or more. There are other things that can make your heart beat faster, like caffeine, nicotine, recreational drugs and some kinds of medications.

Your heart will also beat faster when you feel strong emotions, like anxiety or fear. An irregular pulse is when the heart doesn't beat in a regular, steady rhythm. This is also called an irregular heart rate or an arrhythmia. Often an irregular pulse is harmless. However, it's important to get it checked by a health professional, because sometimes it's a sign of a heart condition. The most common kind of heart rhythm condition is atrial fibrillation AF , which can put you at greater risk of having a stroke.

Fortunately, if you have AF, there's medication you can take to help reduce this stroke risk. Your doctor can do a simple test called an ECG electrocardiogram to further check your irregular pulse. A heart palpitation is when you suddenly become aware of your heart beating, usually in an irregular way. The AHA recommends the following amounts and levels of exercise per week:.

The speed of the heart is not the only factor to bear in mind when considering its health. The rhythm of the heartbeat is important too. The heart should beat with a steady rhythm, and there should be a regular gap between beats. The muscle has an electrical system that tells it when to beat and push blood around the body. A faulty electrical system can lead to an abnormal heart rhythm.

It is normal for the heart rate to vary throughout the day in response to exercise, anxiety , excitement, and fear. However, a person should not normally be aware of their resting heartbeat.

If you feel that your heart is beating out of rhythm, too fast, or too slow, speak to a doctor about your symptoms. An extra beat is called an ectopic beat. Ectopic beats are very common, usually harmless, and do not often need treatment.

People concerned about palpitations or ectopic beats should speak to your doctor who will be able to carry out an electrocardiogram ECG to assess the heart rate and the rhythm.

There are many different types of abnormal heart rhythm. The type depends on where in the heart the abnormal rhythm starts, and whether it causes the heart to beat too fast or too slow.

The most common abnormal rhythm is atrial fibrillation. This replaces the normal heartbeat with an erratic pattern. A fast heart rhythm is also known as a tachycardia , and can include:. Slow heart rhythms such as atrioventricular AV heart block , bundle branch block, and tachy-brady syndrome are called bradycardias. While exercise is important for promoting a low and healthy heart rate, there are several other steps a person can take to protect their heart health, including:.

One in every four deaths in the U. Maintaining a normal heart rate is one of the easiest ways to protect the heart. Various products to manage heart rate, such as wearable heart rate monitors, are available to purchase online. It is important to compare the benefits and features of different brands, and speak to a doctor about the use of these products.

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There are many different types of tachycardia. Their classification is based on their cause and the part of the heart they affect. Experiencing tachycardia may be temporary. For athletes and people that exercise regularly, a heart rate of under 60 beats per minute is normal and even healthy.

Borderline or occasional bradycardia may not need treatment. But prolonged bradycardia, or bradycardia that is not treated, can become more serious. If you are already living with heart disease, heart failure, or a history of heart disease and notice a fluctuation in your heart rate, you should go to the doctor as soon as you can, as it could be a sign of a serious complication.

It could be a sign of a serious heart complication, and you should get yourself to the doctor or the emergency room as soon as you can.

While there are a wide variety of wearable devices that can help you check your own heart rate, you can also do it manually. The American Heart Association has a simple method :.

Tachycardia, which again is when your heart rate is faster than it should be, can be caused by underlying health conditions, such as:. Taking illegal drugs such as stimulants, like cocaine or methamphetamines or misusing both prescription and non-prescription medicines like diet pills may also cause your heart to beat too fast.

Once a diagnosis is made, your doctor will work with you to develop a plan to treat and manage your condition. You should always aim to take good care of your heart. This includes doing things like exercising regularly , eating a variety of heart-healthy foods , minimizing alcohol, and managing your weight. Additionally, you should visit your doctor regularly for physicals. Not only is it good practice, but it can also help with early detection of things like high cholesterol or blood pressure abnormalities.

If you already have heart disease, you should carefully monitor your condition and stick to your treatment plan. Take all medications as instructed by your doctor. Be sure to promptly report any new or worsening symptoms. Resting heart rate can vary from person to person and can be influenced by a variety of factors.

The normal heart rate for children changes as they age. Both tachycardia fast heart rate and bradycardia low heart rate are typically indicators of other health conditions.