Is 58 too low? Is 92 too high? If your watch or blood pressure cuff just showed you a number and you’re not sure what to make of it, you’re asking a very common question.
A normal resting heart rate for most adults is 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm), according to MedlinePlus and the American Heart Association. Well-trained athletes can be lower, and a single reading outside the range is rarely a problem on its own. What matters more is your own usual number, how it changes over time, and whether it comes with symptoms like dizziness or shortness of breath.
Your heart rate isn’t a grade. It shifts through the day with what you’re doing, drinking, and feeling. A little knowledge of how to measure it properly takes most of the worry out of the numbers.
Normal resting heart rate ranges at a glance
| Group | Typical resting heart rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (age 18 and older) | 60 to 100 bpm | MedlinePlus, American Heart Association |
| Well-trained athletes | 40 to 60 bpm | MedlinePlus |
MedlinePlus also lists different normal ranges for babies and children, which are higher than for adults. If you’re checking a child’s pulse, ask their pediatrician what’s normal for their age.
Doctors use two terms for rates outside the adult range. NHLBI describes a heart rate that is too fast as tachycardia and one that is too slow as bradycardia. Neither word means you’re sick. They describe the number, and the doctor looks for the reason.
How to check your pulse in five steps
You don’t need any equipment beyond a clock or phone timer. The American Heart Association and MedlinePlus describe the same basic method:
- Rest first. Sit or lie quietly for at least five minutes. The best time is in the morning, after a good night’s sleep and before you get out of bed or drink coffee.
- Find your pulse. Place the tips of your index and middle fingers on the inside of your wrist, below the base of your thumb. You can also use the side of your neck, next to your windpipe. Don’t use your thumb, which has its own pulse, and press gently.
- Count the beats. Count for 30 seconds and multiply by two. If the rhythm feels uneven, count for a full 60 seconds instead.
- Notice the rhythm. Is it steady, like a clock, or does it skip and jump around with no pattern?
- Write it down. One reading tells you little. Several mornings in a row tell you your normal.
If you use a fitness tracker or watch, compare its number with a manual count once or twice so you know how closely they match.
What pushes your heart rate up or down
Your heart rate responds to almost everything. The American Heart Association lists these common influences:
| What changes it | Usual effect | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Physical activity | Raises it | Climbing stairs, a brisk walk |
| Fitness level | Regular exercise can lower resting rate over time | Runners and swimmers often sit lower |
| Air temperature and humidity | Heat can raise it | A hot, sticky afternoon |
| Body position | Can rise briefly when you stand up | Getting out of bed quickly |
| Emotions | Stress, anxiety, excitement raise it | A tense phone call |
| Medicines | Some lower it, some raise it | Beta blockers can slow it; some thyroid medicines can raise it |
| Caffeine and nicotine | Can raise it | Coffee, energy drinks, cigarettes |
Fever, illness, dehydration, and poor sleep can also push your resting rate up for a few days. If you notice palpitations along with a faster rate, our guide to heart palpitations causes can help you sort out common triggers.
Resting heart rate paths by profile
If you’re an athlete or exercise hard
A resting rate in the 40s or 50s can be a sign of a well-conditioned heart, according to MedlinePlus. It becomes a concern if you feel faint, unusually tired, short of breath, or notice your performance dropping without an obvious reason.
If you take blood pressure or heart medicine
Some medicines, such as beta blockers, are designed to slow the heart. Ask your doctor what resting rate they expect for you, and call them if you feel dizzy or weak. Don’t stop or change a dose on your own.
If you’re pregnant
Your heart works harder during pregnancy, and a somewhat faster resting rate is common. Mention changes at your prenatal visits, and call sooner if a fast heartbeat comes with shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting.
If you’re older
Check your pulse rhythm as well as the number. An irregular rhythm can be a sign of atrial fibrillation, which becomes more common with age. Our guide to AFib symptoms explains what to look for.
Your two-week resting heart rate tracker
Copy this into a notebook or phone note. Take your pulse at the same time each morning.
| Date | Time | Beats per minute | Steady or irregular? | Sleep the night before | Anything unusual (illness, alcohol, stress, new medicine) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 6:45 a.m. | 64 | Steady | 7 hours | Late dinner with wine |
After two weeks, look for:
- Your usual range. Most people settle into a fairly narrow band.
- Spikes and their causes. A higher reading after a bad night or a few drinks is normal.
- Steady drift. A resting rate that keeps creeping up or down for no clear reason is worth showing your doctor.
- Any “irregular” notes, which deserve a call to your doctor even if the number is normal.
When a high or low heart rate needs care
Call 911 if a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat comes with:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Fainting or nearly fainting
- Severe shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Signs of stroke, such as face drooping, arm weakness, or trouble speaking
Call your doctor if:
- Your resting rate is often above 100 bpm without a clear reason like fever or exercise
- Your resting rate is often below 60 bpm and you’re not a trained athlete, especially with tiredness, dizziness, or shortness of breath
- Your pulse feels irregular
- Your resting rate has changed noticeably over weeks
- You see swelling in your ankles or legs along with getting winded more easily. Our guide to swollen ankles and feet explains why that combination matters.
Take your first resting pulse tomorrow
Set your phone timer on the nightstand tonight. Tomorrow morning, before you sit up, count your pulse for 30 seconds, double it, and write it in the first row of your tracker. That single number is the start of knowing what normal looks like for you.
If you’ve noticed puffy ankles at the end of the day, read our guide to swollen ankles and feet causes next.
