What is Heart Rate – Definition, Types, and How to Check

Heart rate is one of the vital signs that indicate the quality of a person’s health. Knowing this measurement also helps decide your exercise regimen. Any irregularities in your heart rate can indicate a medical condition.

In this article, we will tell you everything about the heart rate and what affects it.

Read on!

Heart rate is the number of times your heart beats in one minute. This number varies from person to person. Moreover, it can change over time and hence one should monitor it regularly.

The pulse rate is the number of times the arteries expand and contract in response to the functioning of heart muscles. The pulse rate is precisely equal to the heart rate. Therefore, measuring the pulse is the same as noting the heart rate.

The different types of heart rate are as follows -

• Normal Resting Heart Rate: The standard resting pulse rate is between 60 beats per minute to 100 beats per minute. It is the heart rate measured when a person is resting, sitting down, calm or relaxed.
• Bradycardia: When the heart beats too slowly, that is, below 60 beats per minute, the condition is known as bradycardia.
• Tachycardia: When the heart beats faster than 100 beats per minute, the condition is known as tachycardia.
• Fibrillation: The condition of fibrillation occurs when the heart begins to quiver or demonstrates irregular rhythm.
• Premature Contraction: These are also known as extra or early heartbeats, generating in the ventricles and disrupting the organ’s normal rhythm.

To check your heartbeat rate, you first have to find the pulse. The best places to find your pulse include -

• Wrist
• Inside of the elbow
• Side of the neck
• Top of the foot

Once you have found your pulse, here’s how you can take a reading -

• Step 1: Place the tips of the index, second and third fingers on the other wrist at the base of the palm. 
• Step 2: Press your fingers lightly until you feel the pulse. 
• Step 3: Look at a watch with a second hand. 
• Step 4: Count the heartbeat for ten seconds.
• Step 5: Multiply with 6 to get the beats per minute.

Given below are the factors that affect your heart rate –

• Exercise: Exercise can affect your pulse rate, causing it to go up.
• Weather: Pulse rates may go up slightly in higher temperatures and humidity levels.
• Standing Up Suddenly: Pulse rates spike for approximately 20 seconds after you first stand up from sitting.
• Emotions: Stress, anxiety, and other extreme emotions can make your pulse rate go up.
• Body Size: Obese people may have a slightly faster pulse rate.
• Medications: Certain medications like beta-blockers can slow down your heart rate, while thyroid medicine can raise it. 
• Caffeine and Nicotine: Coffee, tea, soda, and tobacco can raise your heart rate.

Individuals should seek a health professional when the heartbeat is consistently above 100 beats per minute or less than 60 beats per minute.

This can be accompanied by other issues, including –

• Feeling nauseous
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations, discomfort or aching sensation in one’s chest
• Intolerance of exercise

Doctors will suggest getting a proper diagnosis in such cases to conduct advanced treatment.

Individuals usually experience their maximum heart rate during exercise. You can estimate your maximum heart rate based on your age. To calculate your maximum heart rate, use the formula given below:

Maximum heart rate = 220 – current age.

Too high or too low heart rate is an indicator of underlying health problems. Hence, individuals should consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible under such circumstances.

Therefore, measuring your heart rate regularly is an effective way to observe your health. The best time to measure your heart rate is in the morning. Finally, to gauge your maximum heart rate, you need to measure it once you have exercised vigorously.