What is the Normal Heart Rate for Women, Men, and Children?

The normal heart rate for both men and women typically ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Several factors can influence an individual’s normal heart rate, including age, fitness level, body mass index (BMI), existing health conditions, medications, injuries, pain, hormone levels, and nicotine use.

The pulse refers to the rate at which the arteries expand and contract due to the heart’s pumping action. The pulse rate is always equal to the heartbeat, as the heart’s contractions cause an increase in blood pressure in the arteries that lead to a palpable pulse.

Why is Heart Rate Important?

Heart rate plays a key role in showing how well the heart functions. It adjusts blood flow to deliver the right amount of oxygen and nutrients based on your activity level, emotions, or overall health. A normal heart rate often indicates a healthy heart, while an unusually fast, slow, or irregular rate may signal potential health problems. Tracking your heart rate helps identify early signs of illness and supports your fitness and wellness goals.

Normal Heart Rate for Women and Men

People who are assigned female at birth typically have a slightly higher heart rate than men or individuals assigned male at birth. The typical adult male heart rate is from 70 to 72 beats per minute. In adult women, the average heart rate ranges from 78 to 82 beats per minute.

Factors Affecting Heart Rate

1. Physical Activity and Fitness

• Exercise: Heart rate increases during physical activity because the body needs more oxygen and blood flow to support the working muscles.
• Fitness Level: People who are physically fit usually have lower resting heart rates, as their hearts work more efficiently.

2. Emotions and Stress

• Stress and Anxiety: Strong emotions like stress, anxiety, or excitement can temporarily raise the heart rate.
• Hormones: Hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline are released during emotional responses, leading to an increased heart rate.

3. Age and Body Size

• Age: Infants and children generally have higher heart rates compared to adults.
• Body Size: A larger body size, especially in cases of obesity, can be linked to higher heart rates.

4. Medical Conditions and Medications

• Health Conditions: Issues like heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes can affect the heart rate.
• Medications: Certain medications can lower the heart rate, while others may cause it to increase.

5. Environmental Factors

• Temperature: Hot or cold weather can influence heart rate.
• Air Quality: Poor air quality or pollution may also impact how fast the heart beats.

6. Other Factors

• Caffeine and Alcohol: These substances can temporarily raise the heart rate.
• Body Position: Standing up can cause a slight increase in heart rate compared to lying down.

Unsafe Heart Rate for Women

If your heart rate is constantly higher than 100 beats per minute when you’re not working out, you might have a serious medical condition. If you also experience symptoms such as lightheadedness or dizziness, consult your doctor immediately if your heartbeat is this rapid.

Additionally, if you experience symptoms like lightheadedness, dizziness, or extreme weariness, a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute may be concerning. However, a lower heart rate in the 40s to 50s is typical for athletes and more active individuals.

Heart Rate Disorders Affecting Women

Among those assigned female at birth, the following conditions and abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) are more common:

• Atrial tachycardia: An abnormally rapid heartbeat that affects the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) is known as atrial tachycardia.
• Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT): Abrupt, rapid heartbeat events that recur.
• Long Q-T syndrome, also known as LQTS: This condition will make your heart beat more slowly than usual to recharge the ventricles, the lower chambers of your heart.
• Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): When standing up from a reclining position, POTS syndrome can produce lightheadedness and an accelerated heartbeat.
• Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) arrest: A form of cardiac arrest in which there is a normal electrical signal but no pulse due to a non-functioning heart.
• Right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT): A cardiac rhythm abnormality in which the ventricles quiver rather than contract.
• Sick sinus syndrome: An irregular heart rhythm brought on by malfunctions in the sinoatrial (SA) node, which generates the electrical signal that initiates each pulse.

Heart Disorders Affecting Women’s Heart Rates Less Frequently

Individuals who are classified as female at birth are less prone to have certain heart rate-affecting disorders and arrhythmias, such as:

• Atrial fibrillation (Afib): A heart rhythm abnormality originating from the atria.
• Fascicular ventricular tachycardia (FVT): An irregularly rapid heartbeat affecting the fascicles, which are fibre bundles that transmit electrical signals from your heart.
• Sudden cardiac death: When your heart stops working suddenly, it’s a medical emergency.
• Ventricular fibrillation: Your ventricles are impacted by an abnormal heart rhythm.
• Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome: This condition, which arises when you have an additional, abnormal channel along your heart’s conduction system, is less common in those who are assigned female at birth. Your heart may start beating erratically as a result of this.

Why Do Men and Women Have Different Heart Rates?

Men’s hearts often grow 15–30% bigger than women’s hearts during adolescence. This increase in heart size typically corresponds with an increase in body size. The contractions in your heart circulate blood throughout your body with each beat. Women’s hearts are typically slightly smaller than men’s; therefore, to pump the same volume of blood, their hearts must beat quickly.

Normal Resting Heart Rate Chart for Young and Adults

Age Range	Heart Rate (Beats Per Minute)
Newborn	100-160
0-5 Months	90-150
6-12 Months	80-140
1-3 Years	80-130
3-5 Years	80-120
6-10 Years	70-100
11-14 Years	60-105
15 Years or older	60-100

Are Heart Rate and Pulse Rate the Same?

Heart rate and pulse rate are closely related but not exactly the same. Heart rate refers to the number of times the heart beats per minute, while pulse rate measures how often you feel the blood pulsing through your arteries as the heart pumps. In healthy individuals, these two rates are usually the same because each heartbeat produces a pulse. However, in certain medical conditions, such as irregular heart rhythms, the heart may beat without creating a detectable pulse, resulting in varying rates.

What is a Target Heart Rate?

Target heart rate refers to the ideal range of heartbeats per minute to aim for during exercise to maximize cardiovascular benefits. This range is usually between 50% and 85% of your maximum heart rate.

Maximum Heart Rate

To estimate your maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 220. For instance, if you’re 35 years old, your estimated maximum heart rate is 185 beats per minute (220 – 35 = 185). This number helps determine how intensely you should exercise. Staying within your target heart rate range ensures you’re challenging your body enough without overdoing it.

How to Maintain a Healthy Heart Rate

Maintaining a healthy heart rate plays a key role in supporting overall heart health. Managing stress is important, as high stress levels can raise both heart rate and blood pressure. You can reduce stress through practices like deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness, or yoga. Quitting smoking also helps lower your heart rate and supports a healthier cardiovascular system. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight reduces the strain on your heart, making it easier for your body to deliver oxygen and nutrients efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions