Pulse (HR): normal values ​​by age, causes and consequences of increased and decreased. What pulse is considered normal Permissible pulse rate in adults table


The very first actions in the provision of emergency care provide for an objective assessment of the situation and the condition of the patient, therefore, the person acting as a rescuer grabs the radial artery (temporal, femoral or carotid) in order to find out about the presence of cardiac activity and measure the pulse.

The pulse rate is not a fixed value, it varies within certain limits depending on our state at that moment. Intense physical activity, excitement, joy make the heart beat faster, and then the pulse goes beyond normal limits. True, this state does not last long, a healthy body needs 5-6 minutes to recover.

Within normal limits

The normal pulse rate for an adult is 60-80 beats per minute. what is more is called , less is called . If pathological conditions become the cause of such fluctuations, then both tachycardia and bradycardia are regarded as a symptom of the disease. However, there are other cases as well. Probably, each of us has ever encountered a situation where the heart is ready to jump out from an excess of feelings and this is considered normal.

As for the rare pulse, it is mainly an indicator of pathological changes in the heart.

The normal pulse of a person changes in various physiological states:

  1. Slows down in sleep, and indeed in the supine position, but does not reach real bradycardia;
  2. Changes during the day (at night, the heart beats less often, after lunch it speeds up the rhythm), as well as after eating, alcoholic beverages, strong tea or coffee, and certain drugs (heart rate rises in 1 minute);
  3. Increases during intense physical activity (hard work, sports training);
  4. Increases from fright, joy, anxiety and other emotional experiences. caused by emotions or intense work, almost always passes quickly and on its own, as soon as a person calms down or stops vigorous activity;
  5. The heart rate increases with an increase in body temperature and the environment;
  6. Decreases over the years, however, then, in old age, again slightly rises. In women with the onset of menopause, under conditions of reduced estrogen influence, more significant upward changes in the pulse may be observed (tachycardia due to hormonal disorders);
  7. It depends on gender (the pulse rate in women is slightly higher);
  8. It differs in especially trained people (rare pulse).

Basically, it is generally accepted that in any scenario, the pulse of a healthy person is in the range from 60 to 80 beats per minute, and a short-term increase to 90 - 100 beats / min, and sometimes up to 170-200 beats / min is regarded as a physiological norm, if it arose on the basis of an emotional outburst or intensive labor activity, respectively.

Men, women, athletes

HR (heart rate) is influenced by indicators such as gender and age, physical fitness, occupation of a person, the environment in which he lives, and much more. In general, the differences in heart rate can be explained as follows:

  • Men and women respond differently to different events.(the bulk of men are more cold-blooded, women are mostly emotional and sensitive), so the heart rate of the weaker sex is higher. Meanwhile, the pulse rate in women differs very little from that of men, although, if we take into account the difference of 6-8 beats / min, then the males are lagging behind, their pulse is lower.

  • Out of competition are pregnant women, in which a slightly increased pulse is considered normal, and this is understandable, because during the bearing of a child, the mother's body must fully satisfy the need for oxygen and nutrients for herself and the growing fetus. The respiratory organs, the circulatory system, the heart muscle undergo certain changes to perform this task, so the heart rate increases moderately. A slightly increased pulse in a pregnant woman is considered normal if, apart from pregnancy, there is no other reason for its increase.
  • A relatively rare pulse (somewhere near the lower limit) is noted in people who do not forget about daily physical exercise and jogging, who prefer outdoor activities (pool, volleyball, tennis, etc.), in general, leading a very healthy lifestyle and watching their figure. They say about such people: “They have a good sports uniform”, even if, by the nature of their activity, these people are far from professional sports. A pulse of 55 beats per minute at rest is considered normal for this category of adults, it’s just that their heart works economically, but in an untrained person, this frequency is regarded as bradycardia and serves as a reason for an additional examination by a cardiologist.
  • The heart works even more economically skiers, cyclists, runners, rowers and adherents of other sports that require special endurance, their resting heart rate can be 45-50 beats per minute. However, a long-term intense load on the heart muscle leads to its thickening, expansion of the boundaries of the heart, an increase in its mass, because the heart is constantly trying to adapt, but its possibilities, unfortunately, are not unlimited. A heart rate of less than 40 beats is regarded as a pathological condition, and eventually the so-called "sports heart" develops, which often causes the death of young healthy people.

The heart rate is somewhat dependent on height and constitution: in tall people, the heart under normal conditions works more slowly than in short relatives.

Pulse and age

Previously, the fetal heart rate was recognized only at 5-6 months of pregnancy (listened with a stethoscope), now the fetal pulse can be determined using the ultrasound method (vaginal sensor) in an embryo 2 mm in size (the norm is 75 beats / min) and as it grows (5 mm - 100 beats / min, 15 mm - 130 beats / min). During pregnancy monitoring, heart rate is usually measured from 4-5 weeks of gestation. The data obtained is compared with tabular norms Fetal heart rate by week:

Pregnancy (weeks)Norm of heart rate (beats per 1 minute)
4-5 80-103
6 100-130
7 130-150
8 150-170
9-10 170-190
11-40 140-160

By the heart rate of the fetus, you can find out his condition: if the baby's pulse changes upward, it can be assumed that there is a lack of oxygen, but as the pulse increases, the pulse begins to decrease, and its values ​​\u200b\u200bare less than 120 beats per minute already indicate acute oxygen starvation, which threatens with undesirable consequences up to death.

The pulse rates in children, especially newborns and preschoolers, differ markedly from the values ​​​​typical for adolescence and youth. We, adults, have noticed ourselves that a small heart beats more often and not so loudly. To clearly know whether a given indicator is within the normal range, there is heart rate table by age that everyone can use:

AgeLimits of normal values ​​(bpm)
newborns (up to 1 month of age)110-170
from 1 month to 1 year100-160
from 1 year to 2 years95-155
2-4 years90-140
4-6 years old85-125
6-8 years old78-118
8-10 years old70-110
10-12 years old60-100
12-15 years old55-95
15-50 years old60-80
50-60 years old65-85
60-80 years old70-90

Thus, according to the table, it can be seen that the rate of heart rate in children after a year tends to gradually decrease, a pulse of 100 is not a sign of pathology until almost 12 years old, and a pulse of 90 is up to 15 years of age. Later (after 16 years), such indicators may indicate the development of tachycardia, the cause of which is to be found by the cardiologist.

The normal pulse of a healthy person in the range of 60-80 beats per minute begins to be recorded from about 16 years of age. After 50 years, if everything is in order with health, there is a slight increase in heart rate (10 beats per minute for 30 years of life).

Pulse rate helps in diagnosis

Pulse diagnosis, along with temperature measurement, history taking, examination, refers to the initial stages of a diagnostic search. It would be naive to believe that by counting the number of heartbeats, you can immediately find the disease, but it is quite possible to suspect something is wrong and send a person for examination.

A low or high pulse (below or above the allowable values) often accompanies various pathological processes.

high heart rate

Knowledge of the norms and the ability to use the table will help any person to distinguish increased pulse fluctuations due to functional factors from tachycardia caused by the disease. About "strange" tachycardia may indicate symptoms that are unusual for a healthy body:

  1. Dizziness, pre-syncope, (they say that cerebral blood flow is disturbed);
  2. Pain in the chest caused by a violation of the coronary circulation;
  3. visual disturbances;
  4. Vegetative symptoms (sweating, weakness, trembling of the limbs).

Increased heart rate and palpitations can be caused by:

  • Pathological changes in the heart and vascular pathology (congenital, etc.);
  • poisoning;
  • Chronic bronchopulmonary diseases;
  • hypoxia;
  • Hormonal disorders;
  • Damage to the central nervous system;
  • Oncological diseases;
  • Inflammatory processes, infections (especially with fever).

In most cases, an equal sign is placed between the concepts of a rapid pulse and a rapid heartbeat, however, this is not always the case, that is, they do not necessarily accompany each other. In some conditions ( and , ), the number of heartbeats exceeds the frequency of pulse fluctuations, this phenomenon is called a pulse deficit. As a rule, a pulse deficit accompanies terminal arrhythmias in severe heart damage, which could be caused by intoxication, sympathomimetics, acid-base imbalance, electric shock, and other pathologies involving the heart in the process.

High pulse and pressure fluctuations

The pulse and pressure do not always proportionally decrease or increase. It would be wrong to think that an increase in heart rate will necessarily lead to an increase in blood pressure and vice versa. There are also options here:

  1. Rapid pulse at normal pressure may be a sign of intoxication, fever. Folk and medications that regulate the activity of the autonomic nervous system during VVD, antipyretic drugs for fever and drugs aimed at reducing the symptoms of intoxication will help to reduce the pulse, in general, the impact on the cause will remove tachycardia.
  2. Rapid pulse with high blood pressure may be the result of various physiological and pathological conditions (inadequate physical activity, severe stress, endocrine disorders, diseases of the heart and blood vessels). The tactics of the doctor and the patient: examination, finding out the cause, treatment of the underlying disease.
  3. Low blood pressure and high heart rate can become symptoms of a very serious health disorder, for example, a manifestation of development in cardiac pathology or in case of large blood loss, and, the lower the blood pressure and the higher the heart rate, the more severe the patient's condition. Definitely: to reduce the pulse, the increase of which is caused by these circumstances, will not work on its own not only for the patient, but also for his relatives. This situation requires urgent action (call "103").

A high pulse that first appeared for no reason can be tried to calm drops of hawthorn, motherwort, valerian, peony, corvalol (what is at hand). The repetition of an attack should be a reason to visit a doctor who will find out the cause and prescribe medications that affect this particular form of tachycardia.

Low heart rate

The reasons for a low heart rate can also be functional (athletes were discussed above, when a low heart rate at normal pressure is not a sign of a disease), or stem from various pathological processes:

  • Vagus influences (vagus - vagus nerve), decreased tone of the sympathetic department of the nervous system. This phenomenon can be observed in every healthy person, for example, during sleep (low pulse at normal pressure),
  • With vegetative-vascular dystonia, in the case of some endocrine disorders, that is, in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions;
  • Oxygen starvation and its local effect on the sinus node;
  • myocardial infarction;

  • Toxicoinfections, poisoning with organophosphorus substances;
  • Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
  • Traumatic brain injury, meningitis, edema, brain tumor,;
  • Taking digitalis preparations;
  • Side effect or overdose of antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive and other drugs;
  • Hypofunction of the thyroid gland (myxedema);
  • Hepatitis, typhoid fever, sepsis.

In the vast majority of cases low heart rate (bradycardia) is considered a serious pathology, which requires immediate examination to identify the cause, timely treatment, and sometimes emergency medical care (sick sinus syndrome, atrioventricular blockade, myocardial infarction, etc.).

Low pulse and high blood pressure - similar symptoms sometimes appear in hypertensive patients taking drugs to lower blood pressure, which are simultaneously prescribed for various rhythm disturbances, beta-blockers, for example.

Briefly about measuring the pulse

Perhaps, only at first glance it seems that there is nothing easier than measuring the pulse of oneself or that of another person. Most likely, this is true if such a procedure is required to be carried out in a young, healthy, calm, rested person. It can be assumed in advance that his pulse will be clear, rhythmic, of good filling and tension. Being sure that most people know the theory well and do an excellent job with the task in practice, the author will only briefly recall the technique of measuring the pulse.

You can measure the pulse not only on the radial artery, any large artery (temporal, carotid, ulnar, brachial, axillary, popliteal, femoral) is suitable for such a study. By the way, sometimes along the way you can detect a venous pulse and very rarely a precapillary one (to determine these types of pulse, you need special devices and knowledge of measurement techniques). When determining, one should not forget that in the vertical position of the body, the heart rate will be higher than in the prone position and that intense physical activity will accelerate the pulse.

To measure the pulse:

  • Usually, the radial artery is used, on which 4 fingers are placed (the thumb should be on the back of the limb).
  • You should not try to catch pulse fluctuations with only one finger - an error is surely guaranteed, at least two fingers should be involved in the experiment.
  • It is not recommended to press too hard on the arterial vessel, since its clamping will lead to the disappearance of the pulse and the measurement will have to be started again.
  • It is necessary to measure the pulse correctly within one minute, measuring for 15 seconds and multiplying the result by 4 can lead to an error, because even during this time the frequency of pulse oscillations can change.

Here is such a simple technique for measuring the pulse, which can tell a lot about a lot.

Video: pulse in the program “Live Healthy!”

Slowing or increased heart rate indicates the development of arrhythmias due to the influence of certain factors. If nothing is done, then failures in the heartbeat can remain on an ongoing basis, and even worsen over time. In order to avoid such problems, it is necessary to find out the features of measuring vascular pulsation and age norms. If serious deviations are detected, you should consult a doctor.

Pulse from Latin is translated as a blow or a push. It is a fluctuation of blood vessels that occurs due to the cycles of the heart muscle. In total there are 3 types of pulse:

  • arterial;
  • venous;
  • capillary.

In a healthy person, the vessels should "fluctuate" after an equal period of time. The rhythm is set by the heart rate (HR), which directly depends on the sinus node. The impulses it sends cause the atria and ventricles to alternately contract. If the detected pulsation is too weak or irregular, then we can talk about the development of pathological processes in the body. The easiest way to identify the arterial pulse. Fluctuations in capillaries and veins are determined in a hospital setting according to individual indications.

Measurement

Pulse measurement is usually carried out on the wrist. It is enough for a person to count the number of pulse waves in 1 minute. For more accurate data, it is recommended to measure both limbs. As a comprehensive examination in a hospital setting, the doctor will first find out the heart rate, then he will count the number of respiratory movements (RR) in 1 minute and determine the type of breathing. The resulting indicator is especially important for assessing the development of the child.

During the measurement of the pulse, you need to pay attention to its rhythm. The shocks must be of the same strength and after an equal period of time. In the absence of deviations, it is enough to give the procedure 30 seconds, and then multiply the result by 2. If a clear violation in the heartbeat is found, then it is better to spend at least 1 minute measuring and consult a doctor. The specialist will prescribe instrumental methods of examination. Chief among these is electrocardiography (ECG). It will allow you to evaluate the electrical activity of the heart and identify the causative factor of the arrhythmia. As an addition, the following tests are assigned:

  • Daily ECG monitoring will allow you to see changes in the work of the heart throughout the day under the influence of various factors.
  • The treadmill test is prescribed to assess the heart rate under the influence of physical activity.

Due to vascular problems or injuries, it is sometimes necessary to count pulse waves in other arteries. Instead of the wrist, you can palpate the neck. The vibrations will come from the carotid artery.

Dependence of heart rate on various factors

The normal pulse of a person should remain within 60-90. Its frequency may increase or decrease due to certain factors.
If they are not associated with pathological processes developing in the body, then the deviation caused will be considered harmless. Stress, overwork, overeating and the influence of low temperature, for example, after a long walk in cold weather, only briefly disrupt the usual heart rhythm.

The frequency of contractions may differ depending on the time of day (morning, night). After waking up, a person's pulse is the lowest, and in the evening it is closer to the upper limit. Equally important is physical fitness. In athletes, the number of pulse waves at rest is slightly below normal. Such a phenomenon is associated with intense training, forcing the heart to pump more blood.

The pulse rate for men and women is not particularly different. The difference is 5-7 beats per minute. Significant deviations are detected only because of the peculiarities of the hormonal system. During menopause, which occurs at the age of fifty or sixty, and during pregnancy, female representatives may experience tachycardia and small pressure surges.

The pulse is most dependent on age characteristics:

  • In babies, the heart rate, even in a calm state, is much higher than the norm of an adult. The deviation is caused by the intensive growth of the organism.
  • Adolescent children may suffer from tachycardia due to puberty and manifestations of vegetovascular dystonia (VVD). It occurs against the background of stress and anxiety, especially in high school (before exams).
  • In older people, the cardiovascular system is not in the best condition due to gradual wear and tear, so they are more likely to develop various pathologies. Against the background of age-related changes, the heartbeat can be eighty-one hundred beats per minute even at rest, and the reaction to physical activity is usually more pronounced.

Pulse rate in an adult: table by age

The normal pulse of an adult by year (age) is shown in the table:

In an adult, the heart rate norms by age and the permissible pulse limits in a child under 15 years old differ significantly, which can be seen in the following table:

AgeMaximum and minimum limitMean
Up to 3-4 weeks115-165 135
1 to 12 months105-160 130
1-3 years90-150 122
3-5 years85-135 110
5-7 years80-120 100
7-9 years old72-112 92
9-11 years old65-105 85
11-15 years old58-97 77

Knowing what pulse is normal for women and men by age, many diseases can be avoided. Measurement should be taken at rest. Under the influence of other factors (sports, pregnancy), slight deviations are possible.

Heart rate while walking

While walking, there is a slight increase in heart rate. How many heart beats per minute will depend on the fitness of the person. In people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, the heart rate can jump up to 120, while for walkers it will remain within 90-100. To calculate the maximum allowable limit, subtract the person's age from 180.

When walking, the allowable heart rate is as follows:

  • 15 years - 165;
  • 35 years - 145;
  • 55 years - 125;
  • 75 years - 105.

Heartbeat at rest

The pulse in a calm state is determined in the morning. A person needs to sit on a chair and count the pulse. Changing body positions or taking measurements in the evening is not recommended, as the final result will be distorted.

Generally accepted norms at rest:

  • adults - 60-80;
  • elderly - 70-90;
  • teenagers - 70-80;
  • kids under 2 years old - 90-100;
  • newborns - 130-140.

Pulse while running

While jogging, a lot of stress is placed on the heart. People seeking to lose weight should ensure that the pulse is close to the upper limit. If the goal is to strengthen the cardiovascular system, then it is necessary to stop at an indicator that does not exceed 60-70%. To calculate the norm, you need to subtract your age from 200:

If, against the background of an increase in the pulse (within acceptable limits), the pressure indicators remain normal, then the development of pathologies will not follow. Elderly people need to be especially careful. Their body is unable to withstand heavy loads.

Acceptable heart rate during pregnancy

In a woman who is expecting a baby, closer to the 5th month, her heart rate increases. This phenomenon is associated with an increase in the volume of circulating blood against the background of fetal development. Usually the increase is insignificant and gradually the indicators return to the acceptable limit:

  • at 14-26 weeks there is an increase of 10-15 contractions from the norm;
  • the maximum increase occurs between 27 and 32 weeks;
  • gradual normalization occurs closer to the birth of the child.

Causes of tachycardia

Tachycardia is manifested by an increase in heart rate and is divided into physiological and pathological. The first form occurs under the influence of the following factors:

  • pain sensations;
  • physical and mental overload;
  • taking medications;

  • stress;
  • hot weather;
  • bad habits;
  • drinking coffee and energy drinks.

Passes physiological tachycardia on its own and rarely causes complications. The pathological form is the result of various diseases and malfunctions in the body:

  • ischemic heart disease (CHD);
  • hypertension (high blood pressure);
  • pathology of the nervous system;
  • oncological diseases;
  • malformations of the heart muscle;
  • diseases caused by infections;
  • endocrine disruptions;
  • anemia (anemia).

In women, the cause of tachycardia may be menorrhagia. It is a violation in the menstrual cycle, which is characterized by large blood loss during menstruation.

In adolescence, the main cause of heart palpitations is a vegetative failure. It develops under the influence of irritating factors (stress, overwork) and hormonal surges. The problem goes away on its own at the end of the period of sexual development.

Features of bradycardia

A slow heart rate to 50 beats or less is called bradycardia. It is a sign of physiological and pathological factors. In the first case, the list of reasons for the decrease in heart rate is as follows:

  • During sleep, a person's metabolism slows down, body temperature drops slightly and heart rate decreases by about 10% of the norm. The reason for the change in indicators is the complete relaxation of the body.
  • When stimulating the reflex zones (eyeballs, carotid artery), you can inadvertently cause a slight slowdown in the pulse.
  • In the elderly, bradycardia may be the result of age-related cardiosclerosis. Scattered areas of connective tissue throughout the myocardium worsen the contractility of the heart, which contributes to a decrease in heart rate
  • With prolonged exposure to cold, the heart rate slows down as a protective reaction. The body begins to save resources in order to resist adverse effects longer.
  • Constant physical activity forces the heart to work more than it should. Tissue hypertrophy begins, against which bradycardia develops. For professional athletes, a heart rate in the region of 40-45 beats per minute is considered normal.

The pathological form of bradycardia is a consequence of such factors:

  • inflammatory diseases of the heart muscle;
  • myocardial infarction;
  • taking antihypertensive medications;
  • violation of impulse conduction;
  • hypothyroidism (deficiency of thyroid hormones);
  • hypotension (low blood pressure);
  • stomach ulcer;
  • high intracranial pressure.

In the absence of the ability to identify a causative factor, the diagnosis of "idiopathic bradycardia" is made. If it is not accompanied by other disorders and the symptoms are not particularly pronounced, then it is also equated to physiological forms.

Symptoms of heart failure

Pathological forms of arrhythmia are especially dangerous. They appear quite brightly and often lead to the development of severe complications. In addition to signs of a slow or accelerated heartbeat, symptoms of the underlying pathological process may occur.

Tachycardia is characterized by the following clinical picture:

  • feeling of heartbeat;
  • dizziness;
  • pain and pressure in the chest;
  • dyspnea;

  • increase in pressure;
  • sense of anxiety;
  • pulsation of blood vessels in the neck;
  • irritability;
  • insomnia;
  • lack of air.

Bradycardia is manifested by a decrease in heart rate to 40 beats per minute and below the following symptoms:

  • an attack of dizziness;
  • pre-fainting state;
  • skin blanching;
  • growing weakness
  • chest pain;
  • fast fatiguability;
  • convulsive attacks;
  • respiratory dysfunction.

Actions in case of heart rhythm failure

Physiological arrhythmias do not require a course of therapy. It is enough to avoid the causative factor. Pathological forms are treated by eliminating or stopping the underlying cause. Regardless of the type of failure, it is recommended to contact a cardiologist for an examination, the results of which will be diagnosed.

With bradycardia, you will need to take heart-stimulating medications. It is desirable to combine them with folk remedies based on medicinal herbs. It is possible to increase heart rate during an attack due to light physical activity, caffeine, Zelenin drops and tablets based on belladonna extract.

Rest in a well-ventilated area will help reduce the frequency and intensity of heartbeats. Before this, it is advisable to wash with cold water and remove clothing that tightens the neck area. Additionally, you can do breathing exercises and take valerian tincture.

In both cases, a correction of nutrition, sports and walks in the fresh air are recommended. If it was not possible to stop the attack and the symptoms are growing, then you need to call an ambulance. Arriving specialists should be told about the measures taken to alleviate the condition.

All people who want to avoid diseases of the cardiovascular system should know the norms of the pulse by age. Deviations from acceptable limits can be physiological and pathological. In the first case, treatment is not prescribed. It is enough for the patient to learn about the methods of stopping seizures. The course of therapy for a pathological failure in the heartbeat is aimed at eliminating the causative factor.


Pulse- the main criterion by which you can determine how the heart works, and the whole organism as a whole. Regular monitoring of the heart rate allows you to detect arrhythmia and other serious diseases in time. In this article, we will talk about what kind of pulse is normal in men and what deviations from healthy indicators indicate.

Blow, another blow...

  • When the main "motor" of our body is reduced, it throws a portion of blood into the vascular network. The shock impulse of blood against the walls of blood vessels causes rhythmic oscillations, which are commonly called the pulse.
  • There are several types of blood vessels in our body. through which blood is transported: to organs and tissues through arteries and capillaries, and from organs to the heart - through venules and veins.
    Pushing blood out of the heart
    , one way or another, affects all of them.
  • But because the arteries are closer to the heart, they are more affected by its contractions. The pulsation of their walls is easily determined by palpation, and in large arteries it can be seen with the naked eye. That is why it is the arterial pulse that is of the greatest importance for diagnosing diseases.

By the way. The largest vessel in our body is the aorta. Blood is ejected into it under such pressure that the "shock wave" passes through all the vessels.

Norm and pathology

When measuring the pulse rate, first of all, the rhythm of the heartbeat is assessed. Blood pulsation in the vessels should occur at regular intervals, otherwise there is reason to talk about heart disease, exposure to frequent stress, hormonal disruptions.

In addition, the nature of the pulse is determined by the number of pulsations (beats) per minute. In healthy people, this is 60-90 strokes.

During the period of physical and emotional rest, the pulse indicators do not go beyond these values.

Important to remember: there are no specific figures common to all. Small deviations of the heart rate in one direction or another should not always be alarming. There are a number of factors that can affect the intensity of heart contractions.

So, here is how the pulse changes under various states and actions of a person:

  1. Gender- in the beautiful half of humanity it can be more frequent than in men (by 6-8 units). And during menopause, it rises by the same amount, which is caused by a decrease in the hormone estrogen in the blood.
  2. Age- In young children, a rapid pulse is the norm. So, for newborn babies, the upper limit of the norm is 130-140 beats per minute. In one-year-old children - 125 strokes. And for middle-aged people, the optimal indicator is 70-80 strokes.
  3. Level of physical fitness, complexion. Trained people will have a low resting heart rate. And professional athletes can note the pulse during rest in the range of 35-38 beats. This is due to the fact that when playing sports, along with the skeletal muscles, the heart muscle is also “pumped up”.
    The heart acquires the ability to eject blood into the vessels with a "reserve", that is, a little more than is necessary for the blood supply to the organs. This leads to a decrease in heart rate and is normal;
  4. Times of Day. During the day, the heart rate changes, the lowest rates are observed at night during sleep (up to 50 contractions), the highest - from 15 to 20 hours; during the day, the indicators vary from 60 to 80 beats per minute, in the evening they rise to 90. This is the norm.
  5. Food. While eating, the pulse quickens. Some foods act as stimulants, making the heart beat faster. These include hot spices, chocolate, coffee, strong tea, Coca-Cola and alcohol. If a high pulse is noted after drinking alcohol, this is a sign of withdrawal symptoms.
  6. Physical activity directly affects the heart rate. If at rest it varies within 60-80 beats / min, then when walking it rises to 90-100. During intense training, the heart can “accelerate” up to 140 beats / min. If there is a too fast heartbeat - the load is very high, it must be reduced.

    Important! Athletes should adopt a formula for determining the upper limit of the heart rate during training. For the "starting point" they take the number 220 and subtract their age from it. For example, if you are 30 years old, subtract 30 from 220 - you get 190 bpm. This is your maximum allowable heart rate. So, it is necessary to engage in such a way as not to exceed these values.

  7. Body position. In the supine position, our heart muscle contracts 5-7 beats less often than when we are standing or sitting. The recommendation to measure the pulse in a horizontal position is not accidental: in this way, data will be obtained that reflect the real work of the heart.

Here are the main causes of pulse disorders in healthy people. If, having once measured the pulse, you found deviations from the norm, while there were no violations before, your state of health did not worsen, you should not immediately worry. Try again after a while.

It is worth suspecting a malfunction in the work of the heart if the following symptoms occur:

  1. weakness during the day;
  2. shortness of breath, chest pain;
  3. nausea, dizziness.

It is necessary to visit a cardiologist and find out their cause. Do not delay going to the doctor: many heart diseases almost do not manifest themselves in the early stages. If you miss the time, pathology can become a threat to life.

Important! A particularly unfavorable sign is that heart rate disturbances occur against the background of low or high blood pressure.

Methods for measuring the pulse


If the doctor suspected the presence of cardiac pathology, then special research methods are prescribed to measure the pulse:

  1. Holter monitoring (calculation of heart rate per day),
  2. electrocardiogram
  3. - a test in which the work of the heart is recorded by an electrocardiograph while walking on a treadmill. The test clearly shows how quickly the heart recovers after a load.

By measuring your heart rate after exercise, you can easily assess the reaction of the body to the load. You can do this test at home. Count your resting heart beats. Then do 15-20 squats, stretching your arms forward, for 30 seconds and measure your pulse again. An increase in heart rate by less than 25% - you have a strong trained heart, 25-50% - the result of a healthy person, 50-75% - does not interfere with physical education, and if more, then your heart does not respond well to stress.

Important! You should not play professional sports if you have a heart disorder.

Pulse with a "male" character

Consider what is the normal pulse of a man at rest. The heart rate in men changes with age, the highest values ​​are observed in newborn boys, decrease as they grow older, and increase again in old age.

The average values ​​​​of the norm for men of a certain age are as follows:

Age Normal indicators, beats / min.
first month of life 110-170
from a month to a year 100-160
1–2 years 95-155
4–6 years 85-126
6–8 years 80-118
8–10 years 70-108
10–12 years old 62-100
12–18 years old 55-95
18–21 years old 55-85
21–23 years old 60-82
23–25 years old 60-75
25–30 years old 60-70
30–40 years old 70-75
40–50 years old 75-80
50–60 years old 80-84
60–70 years old 82-86
over 70 years 85

Ideal indicators are rare, some deviations are acceptable if they are temporary and do not cause serious deterioration in well-being. For the prevention of heart disease, it is necessary with age to be examined more often by a cardiologist, especially for men over 60 years of age.

What is an "irregular" heartbeat?

beats is called "bradycardia", and more than 90 beats per minute - "tachycardia":

  • With bradycardia, the work of the sinus node is disrupted- the so-called generator of electrical impulses. He is obliged to give the heart the right rhythm, but in some diseases or conditions it cannot produce impulses with the desired frequency, or they do not spread well through the structure of the heart.
    Signs of a low heart rate: state of fainting, cold sweat, fatigue, chest pain. A very rare pulse leads to hypoxia (oxygen starvation) of the body. With severe bradycardia (40 beats per minute or less), heart failure develops, for the treatment of which a pacemaker may be required.
  • Rapid pulse is more common than other disorders. At the heart of its development is an increase in the activity of the sinus node, which can occur with heart disease or under the influence of negative factors.
    So, almost every person experienced a rapid heartbeat at the time of fear or fright. Such tachycardia is physiological (that is, normal) and is explained by the release of a huge portion of adrenaline into the blood.

A healthy person usually does not feel how his heart contracts. But during times of severe stress, heart tremors can become noticeable. In some diseases, the heart rhythm is felt even at rest. This symptom is called palpitation.

During tachycardia, more than 95 heart beats per minute are observed.

At the same time, you may feel other signs, in addition to a rapid heart rate:

  • increased "shocks" of the heart;
  • pinching and pain in the chest (if the heart is forced to work at an accelerated pace, it needs more oxygen; and since there is not enough of it at the time of the attack, chest pain appears)
  • fast fatiguability
  • pulsation in the temples, vessels of the neck
  • dizziness (a small amount of oxygen enters the brain);
  • anxiety, fear, a state of panic;
  • shortness of breath, lack of air (tachycardia prevents gas exchange in the lungs);
  • loss of consciousness, fainting.

When is the pulse high?

  • If there is no heart disease that would affect the heart rate, the rhythm may increase under the influence of active exercise, severe stress, heat or stuffiness.
  • Some increase in heart rate is observed during pregnancy. And what are?
  • A high temperature during a cold also causes an increase in heart rate (by about 10 units for every "extra" degree).
  • In children, mild tachycardia is not a pathology if it occurs during an active game and vivid emotions - this is how the heart adapts to stress.
  • A high pulse is also noted in adolescent children suffering from vegetovascular dystonia. During this period, you need to be sensitive to the slightest signs - the blue of the nasolabial "triangle", shortness of breath, dizziness. Such symptoms are a reason to take the child to a cardiologist, especially if he already has heart disease.

It's important to know! With "safe" (functional) tachycardia, there is no pain in the heart, shortness of breath. The heart rate does not go beyond the maximum allowable limits characteristic of a particular age, and normalizes 5-10 minutes after the cessation of negative factors.

Pathological tachycardia, requiring treatment by a specialist, can be observed in such cases:

  1. cardiological ailments and heart defects (then pulse disturbances appear even during rest);
  2. diseases of the nervous and endocrine systems;
  3. oncology;
  4. SARS;
  5. anemia (low hemoglobin);
  6. prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration.

In case of malfunctions in the work of the heart or other diseases, tachycardia is accompanied by shortness of breath even at the slightest exertion. This is due to stagnation of blood in the pulmonary circulation.

How to lower the pulse?

If there is an increase in heart rate due to excessive physical exertion, emotional stress, you can relieve unpleasant symptoms:

  1. Lie down, open a window or window, breathe calmly and deeply.
  2. Take a pharmacy tincture of peony or motherwort.
  3. A decoction of mint or lemon balm also helps.

If an attack of tachycardia occurred for the first time for no apparent reason, and also if you have been diagnosed with heart disease, call an ambulance.

Signs of bradycardia

A mild degree of bradycardia, as a rule, does not impair blood flow and does not lead to the appearance of alarming symptoms. Dizziness, weakness, fainting are noted with a heartbeat of less than 40 per minute, as well as with concomitant heart defects.

In such cases, with a decrease in the pulse, shortness of breath, chest pain, “jumps” in pressure, darkening and flies in the eyes may appear.

It is worth noting that the manifestations of bradycardia depend on the severity of the disorders developing against its background. For example, the brain, experiencing a lack of oxygen, can “respond” to a decrease in heart rate.

Hence - characteristic convulsions that can last from a few seconds to a minute. This is an extremely dangerous condition. It requires urgent medical attention, because a protracted attack can end in respiratory arrest.

Causes of a low heart rate

  • "Reduction" in the frequency of the rhythm is often a manifestation of diseases of the heart and blood vessels - heart attack, cardiosclerosis, inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis). In such cases, the impulse conduction in the heart is disrupted.
  • A low pulse is a frequent companion of such diseases as hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid function), stomach ulcers, myxedema, and high intracranial pressure.
  • If the pulse rate is reduced, and the causes cannot be found, the bradycardia is called idiopathic.
  • There is also drug bradycardia, when a decrease in heart rate occurs after taking certain drugs, including diazepam, phenobarbital, anaprilin, motherwort tincture.

Two indicators

Blood pressure and pulse are interrelated, so the patient's health is assessed comprehensively, paying attention to both indicators at once. This will allow the doctor to get a better picture of your condition.

High pulse + hypotension

Pretty common combination.. Tachycardia against the background of low pressure develops as a compensatory reaction to a slowdown in blood circulation and oxygen starvation. Often this happens due to physical and mental overload, stress.

In addition to the increased heart rate, with a decrease in pressure, fatigue and weakness, mood swings, "flies" in the eyes and dizziness are observed.

A person with these symptoms doctors advise more rest and sleep, if you have bad habits - give them up. If necessary, prescribe medications. In addition, this condition is not uncommon for expectant mothers.

During pregnancy the volume of circulating blood increases, and in order to cope with such a load, the heart muscle has to contract faster.

Also, the causes of the state of "high pulse / hypotension" can be:

  • the body's response to sudden weather changes
  • the process of addiction to drugs for the treatment of hypertension (especially in the early days)
  • severe bleeding, anaphylactic or painful shock.
  • Iron-deficiency anemia.

Bradycardia + high blood pressure

Often, in hypertensive patients, the heartbeat slows down against the background of increased pressure, so the body tries to compensate for the load on the heart.
Also, a low pulse with hypertension can occur while in cold water, while taking medication to treat high blood pressure (if the drug does not suit you).

Dangerous indicators

Contact your doctor if:

  1. pulse unreasonably exceeds the mark of 100 beats or dropped below 50 beats per minute.
  2. after physical activity, the pulse does not return to normal within 10 minutes.
  3. the pulse is uneven (non-rhythmic) and poorly palpable.

Remember: pulse is the main marker that makes it possible to judge the state of the "flaming motor". If you notice a discrepancy between your pulse and normal values, seek help from a specialist.

The normal pulse of a person in a calm state is 60-80 beats / min.

Pulse (pulsus - translated from Latin. blow) - systematic, caused by heart contractions, swaying of the walls of blood vessels, determined by the dynamism of their filling with blood and pressure on them throughout a single cardiac cycle.

The slower the metabolism, the fewer beats per time unit the human heart will make. If a person sets himself an important goal - to prolong life, then he should put under control the question of how many beats per minute the heart should beat. In other words, learn how to check your heart rate.

What you should pay attention to?

Before you know what pulse is considered normal, you need to find out some very significant nuances regarding the change in beats throughout the day. The pulse rate of a healthy person during the day varies significantly. The minimum value of the pulse is observed early in the morning and at the beginning of the night. The maximum heart rate is recorded at a time close to the evening.

In a horizontal position (or lying down), the pulse is lower than in a sitting (and even more so - standing). Therefore, in order to obtain normal heart rates and accurately measure the effectiveness of your efforts to improve metabolism, it is advisable to measure the pulse at the same time and in the same position.

It is better to measure the pulse in the morning, waking up and not getting out of bed yet. A normal heartbeat will show accurate values ​​within 1 minute. They do it differently: they count the heart rate for 30 seconds and double the result.

Despite the fact that the hardware capabilities of modern medicine are very high, nonetheless, no device can surpass the pulse diagnosis technique used by traditional medicine. This is the most reliable diagnostic method that has been used for many millennia of the existence of traditional medicine. He is more likely to tell what diseases the patient had during his life. What pathology and at what stage at the moment. It takes a specialist a lot of years to master this diagnostic method.

Back to index

When is it better not to check the pulse?

There are some restrictions that indicate that the pulse measurement should be taken at a different time. So, it is better not to check the pulse:

  • immediately after the end of the meal, the use of alcohol or medicines;
  • with a clear feeling that he is hungry;
  • upon completion of the process of hard mental work or intense in the physical plane;
  • after exercise;
  • after the massage procedure;
  • in a state of sleepiness;
  • during menstruation;
  • when exposed to the sun, frost, in close proximity to fire.

It is easy to master the most simplified version of this type of diagnosis. Of course, it is unlikely that you will be able to become a specialist after training, as well as make a correct diagnosis, but you will certainly succeed in separating a normal heartbeat from pathology.

The practice of using diagnostics has proved that the optimal period for measuring the pulse is the time interval between 11 and 13 hours. In other words, the time from breakfast to lunch. The rhythm of the heart during this period is the most calm.

Back to index

How to determine the radial pulse?

The ideal place for counting the pulse is in the region of the radial artery (at the width of the thumb, slightly below the first skin fold of the wrist).

The radial pulse is counted using three fingers: index and middle with a ring finger. Since the value of the pulse of the hands will be different, measurements should be taken on each hand.

To measure your own pulse, you should hold your hand, while bending your wrist slightly. The second hand should grab the wrist from below. Three fingers are placed on the indicated area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe wrist on the radial artery. The fingers are placed on one straight line with a minimum clearance between each other. Lightly press just below the radius (metacarpal) bone and focus on the pulsating point. The pulse wave should be clearly felt by any of the three fingers. After that, the clamp of the fingers is somewhat loosened in order to catch different pulsating movements.

You can also measure the heartbeat on the temporal artery, as well as the carotid (inner edge of the clavicular-sternomastoideus muscle below the jaw), femoral (from the surface of the shoulder inside, above the elbow, from the side of the thigh from the inside in the area where the leg and pelvis are combined), popliteal. It is customary to measure the pulse on the wrist, on the surface of the hand from the inside (from the side of the radial artery) slightly higher than the base of the thumb.

Back to index

How to know about health by heart rate?

The state of health of a particular individual is judged by the number of heartbeats. What pulse is considered normal if a person is not sick? A healthy body for 1 cycle of breathing (exhalation, stop, inhalation) produces from 4 to 6 heartbeats (most often about 5). When the pulse is below this norm (3 beats, for example) or higher (7 or more beats), this is a signal of a pathology in any organ and serves as a reason to visit a doctor.

Beats 1-3 during the 1st breathing cycle indicate the functional insufficiency of any organ. The person is treated by taking hot food and warming drinks. At the same time, 3 hits - medium cold, 2 - extreme, 1 - deadly.

Beats in the range of 7-10 signal the functional activity of organs and the existence of a fever disease. A person compensates for the heat by eating cooling food. At the same time, 7 beats - medium heat, 8 - high, 9 - limiting, 10 - excessive heat (deadly pulse).

A duration of 100 beats should show the evenness (in tension, strength, fullness) of the pulse, which is inherent in the state of a healthy body. Uneven pulsating beats are evidence of the presence of a disease.

Normal heart rate for people in different age categories (beats / minute):

  • newborn - 140;
  • baby of the first year of life - 130;
  • child from 1 to 2 years - 100;
  • preschool child (3-7 years old) - 95;
  • from 8 years to 14 - 80;
  • middle-aged people - 72;
  • a person of advanced years - 65;
  • the patient has 120;
  • in a terminally ill patient - 160.

By measuring the pulse under different conditions, a person can learn to distinguish between the quality of the pulse and dangerous signals about well-being.

For example, the poisoning of the body is signaled by a rapid pulse that appears after eating after 2-3 hours. There is no vomiting yet, but the body already warns of danger through increased pulsation of blood vessels.

In people with high magnetosensitivity, with the sudden appearance of a storm that affects the decrease in blood pressure (especially in people with low blood pressure - hypotensive patients), the pulse quickens sharply, helping to maintain a normal blood pressure level for this person.

The sharply increased blood pressure also affects the characteristics of strokes: a person begins to feel their increased tension.

The maximum increase in strokes is observed after physical activity in the period of 13-14 hours. This time period is unfavorable for physical work. Within an hour, it is not recommended to conduct massage sessions, visit a steam room, and conduct balneotherapy, since sensitivity to temperature is high.

Every person has a different beat frequency. The rarest pulse is 32 beats per minute. The highest frequency is recorded with paroxysmal tachycardia or after physical exertion of increased intensity - up to 200 beats per minute.

In a person who regularly engages in physical culture or any kind of sport, the heartbeat in a calm state gradually stabilizes, which is a sign of a trained body.

Tachycardia is called a rapid heartbeat (over 100 beats / minute). This condition requires control. With these symptoms, a visit to the doctor is a must.

Bradycardia refers to a decrease in heart rate to values ​​less than 50 beats / minute. Pathology should also not be ignored.

Heart failure - the pulse is slow and weak. This disease requires an immediate call to the doctor.

The rhythm of the pulsation is associated with the intervals between successive beats. In a healthy body, pulse time intervals are always uniform. A clear and correct rhythm of pulsation is a sign of good health.

Arrhythmia - inconsistency of pulsation, it is characterized by uneven time intervals. Manual measurement of the pulse allows you to detect arrhythmia. But it is much easier to do this with a digital blood pressure monitor equipped with a heart rate monitor and an arrhythmia device.

Arrhythmia indicates functional disorders or the presence of diseases.

With atrial fibrillation, random pulsations are observed.

There are also concepts of pulse tension and filling.

The tension is dependent on the level of blood pressure and is characterized by the force that takes part in the complete expansion of the pulsating artery. The tension of the pulse indicates the maximum level of blood pressure.

Filling means the force of contractions of the heart, which is related to the stroke volume.

Each deviation of the pulse from the norm requires a doctor's examination.


Pulse and blood pressure are vital indicators that directly indicate the state of human health. Since ancient times, healers have diagnosed many diseases based on these characteristics.

At present, humanity has enough methods and instruments to determine, however, when faced with an acute health disorder for the first time, everyone can independently determine their pulse rate and compare it with a normal indicator for a given age. In men and women, the pulse rate by age (the table in the article confirms this) is almost the same. And already starting from the age of 16, the indicator of a normal pulse in a healthy person, regardless of gender, is from 60 to 90 beats per minute, depending on the state of arousal.

Now let's look at this topic in more detail.

What is a pulse: definition

Pulse is a rhythmic fluctuation of the vascular walls resulting from contractions of the heart muscle. There are places, by probing which you can simply feel the beats of the pulse and measure it yourself, but more on that later.

The pulse in an adult, or rather the frequency of its contractions, can evaluate not only the strength and rhythm of the heartbeat, but also tell about the state of the vessels in the body.

In addition, a healthy person should have uniform intervals between pulsations. In the case of their “chronic” unevenness, one can assume some kind of disturbance in the functioning of the body, and this may not necessarily relate to the work of the heart. For example, such a “picture” may indicate a malfunction of the endocrine glands.

How to measure the pulse correctly?

It is at such moments that it does not hurt to know how to measure the pulse of yourself or another person. Along with this, it will not be superfluous to measure blood pressure at all, as this will help to put together a more understandable picture of the state of human health at the moment. To do this, you can use a manometer.

Methods for measuring heart rate at home

The most common way to determine the pulse: put 2 fingers on the radial artery, located on the back of the wrist. After that, you need to note the time, preferably on a stopwatch and start counting. For greater certainty, after you have measured the heart rate on one arm, it is advisable to count on the other.

If you cannot feel a pulse at this location, you can try to find it at the locations of other arteries. For example, you can put your fingers on the brachial, femoral, or carotid artery located on the side of the neck.

This method is more suitable for measuring the pulse rate in a healthy person, since due to inexperience it is still possible to calculate the number of beats with errors.

To simplify this method, you can count the number of beats in 30 seconds and multiply this figure by two accordingly. And then the heart rate by age (the table will decipher the resulting indicator for you) will show the result.

If a person obviously knows about the presence of any cardiovascular disease, then the calculation should be made more accurately. Usually, an ECG (electrocardiogram) is performed for this in the clinic.

Pulse rate by age: table for women and men

This table shows values ​​for healthy people who are at rest at the time of heart rate measurement.

What affects heart rate

At rest, the pulse is considered normal, which is in the range of 60-90 beats per minute.

If, before measuring the pulse, a person was subjected to physical exertion, stress, or simply ate food, then the heart rate is unlikely to be normal. To correctly measure the pulse, the body needs some time to “calm down”. It is usually enough to sit down for 5-7 minutes and, if possible, limit yourself in movement.

In addition, the pulse of a woman is always higher by 5-8 units / min than the pulse of a man. But this is a very minor deviation, which, again, you should not pay attention to if the adult has no health problems.

Pulse rate by age (table): children

With children, things are somewhat different. For a newborn baby, a pulse of 140 beats per minute is the norm, while for an adult it is a clear sign of tachycardia, which can also be both a temporary functional state and signal a disease of the heart or adjacent organs.

When the acceleration of the pulse from the norm does not cause concern?

There are a number of cases when the pulse rises for natural reasons:

  • During menopause, every woman undergoes a change in hormonal levels, which entails a slight increase in blood pressure in conjunction with an increase in heart rate. If during menopause a woman does not suffer from shortness of breath, dizziness, there are no headaches and chest pains, then such changes are not considered a pathology. Most often, menopause brings with it pressure surges that exhaust women enough - tachycardia and arrhythmia can become companions of this condition. And when it comes to the usual functional increase in heart rate by several units, women practically do not feel it.
  • Also, acceleration of heart rate is observed in pregnant women.

When is a low heart rate normal?

Decreased heart rate is considered normal during sleep, as well as in the first minutes after waking up.

Also, a decrease in heart rate to 40 units per minute is considered normal in adults who are constantly involved in an active sport.

In other cases, if the pulse does not return to normal in 5-7 minutes at rest, and this condition occurs repeatedly, you still need to consult a doctor, who will most likely prescribe a series of tests to identify the problem.

For reference:

  • Tachycardia is an increase in heart rate
  • Bradycardia is a decrease in heart rate.

Normal heart rate during pregnancy

At the moment when a new life is born in a woman, the body is responsible for providing her with everything necessary. Now the main task is to transport the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients through the mother's blood to the unborn baby. And this means that the heart needs to work "for two."

The pulse during pregnancy in the first trimester may be slightly increased. But for a period of 4-5 months, namely in the second trimester, per minute in pregnant women is the norm. It was during this period that the formation of all the organs and their systems necessary for life has already taken place in a small organism, and now it needs a full supply of oxygen and nutrients.

And during this period, the expectant mother's blood volume increases, and, accordingly, its circulation increases. The work of the heart occurs in an enhanced mode, so many women can observe signs of tachycardia: the heart beats harder, the pulse is 100 beats per minute on average.

The pulse during pregnancy in the third trimester can be in the range of 110-115 beats. In medical practice, this condition in pregnant women is called physiological tachycardia, which after delivery goes away by itself. A rapid pulse in this situation is not a problem, but a temporary phenomenon inherent in every woman in position.

Remember - your health is in your hands! If you find yourself with a pulse deviation from the norm, and a similar situation has taken place more than once, do not postpone going to a specialist, it is in your own interests!