Heart rate is the number of times your heart beats in a minute. It can vary depending on various factors such as age, fitness level, activity level, and health history.

Resting heart rate (RHR), as the name suggests, is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you are at rest, which ideally should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute.

What is a Resting Heart Rate?

The resting heart rate is the measure of the heart rate when you are not doing any physical activity. It is usually measured early in the morning, after waking up, or when you are relaxed.

The resting heart rate varies from person to person, and it can vary with age, sex, and fitness level. A person who is physically fit usually has a lower resting heart rate compared to someone who is not fit.

What is a Dangerous Resting Heart Rate?

A high resting heart rate can be an indication of underlying health issues. According to the American Heart Association, a resting heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute (bpm) is considered high.

Similarly, a resting heart rate below 60 bpm is considered low. Both high and low resting heart rates can be dangerous and may lead to various health issues.

Effects of High Resting Heart Rate

If you have a high resting heart rate, your heart may have to work harder than normal to pump blood throughout your body. This can lead to various health issues like:.

Increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Increased risk of coronary artery disease.
Increased risk of heart failure.
Increased risk of kidney failure.
Increased risk of cognitive impairment.

High resting heart rate may also be a symptom of other underlying health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, and other health conditions.

It is important to consult a doctor if you have a consistently high resting heart rate.

Effects of Low Resting Heart Rate

If you have a low resting heart rate, it may indicate that your heart is not pumping blood as efficiently as it should. This can lead to various health issues like:.

Fainting spells
Dizziness
Weakness
Chronic Fatigue

Low resting heart rate may also be a symptom of underlying health issues such as heart block, sinus node dysfunction, or other health conditions. It is important to consult a doctor if you have a consistently low resting heart rate.

Premature Death and Resting Heart Rate

Studies show that high resting heart rate is associated with an increased risk of premature death.

A study published in the European Heart Journal found that people with a resting heart rate of 80 bpm had a 45% higher risk of death, and people with a resting heart rate of 90 bpm had a 66% higher risk of death compared to those with a resting heart rate of 60 bpm. The study also found that the higher the resting heart rate, the greater the risk of heart disease and premature death. Similarly, the study also found that a low resting heart rate is also associated with an increased risk of death.

Another study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that a high resting heart rate is a risk factor for premature death in people with no underlying heart disease.

The study found that people with a resting heart rate of more than 79 bpm had a 40% higher risk of death from heart disease than those with a resting heart rate of less than 60 bpm.

Causes of High Resting Heart Rate

There can be several causes of high resting heart rate, including:.

Stress
Dehydration
Fever
Thyroid disorders
Anemia
Heart disease
Smoking
Alcohol or caffeine consumption
Side effects of certain medications, such as beta-blockers

If you have a high resting heart rate, it is important to identify the underlying cause and take corrective measures to manage it.

This may include making lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress, staying hydrated, quitting smoking, or reducing alcohol and caffeine intake. In some cases, your doctor may also prescribe medication to manage your resting heart rate.

Causes of Low Resting Heart Rate

There can be several causes of low resting heart rate, including:.

Athletic training
Medications such as beta-blockers
Sinus node dysfunction
Heart block
Underactive thyroid
Electrolyte imbalances
Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa

If you have a low resting heart rate, it is also important to identify the underlying cause and take corrective measures to manage it. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a pacemaker to regulate your heart rate.

Conclusion

Resting heart rate is an important indicator of heart health. A high or low resting heart rate can be dangerous and may lead to various health issues.

It is important to consult a doctor if you have a consistently high or low resting heart rate to identify the underlying cause and take corrective measures to manage it.