Heart Rate Chart

You must have noticed that your heart rate (HR) increases significantly during exercises. Resting heart rate is nothing but the number of times your heart 'beats per minute' (bpm, the unit of measurement) when you are lying down (or sitting still) and breathing slowly.

Knowing about normal 'resting heart rate' (RHR) helps assess heart health. It helps know whether your heart is pumping blood efficiently and whether all body organs are receiving the necessary quantity of blood and oxygen.

Age in Years: 3
Systolic Range: 104 - 113
Diastolic Range: 63 - 67

Age in Years: 4
Systolic Range: 106 - 115
Diastolic Range: 66 - 71

Age in Years: 5
Systolic Range: 108 - 116
Diastolic Range: 69 - 74

Age in Years: 6
Systolic Range: 109 - 117
Diastolic Range: 72 - 76

Age in Years: 7
Systolic Range: 110 - 119
Diastolic Range: 74 - 78

Age in Years: 8
Systolic Range: 111 - 120
Diastolic Range: 75 - 80

Age in Years: 9
Systolic Range: 113 - 121
Diastolic Range: 76 - 81

Age in Years: 10
Systolic Range: 114 - 123
Diastolic Range: 77 - 82

Age in Years: 11
Systolic Range: 116 - 125
Diastolic Range: 78 - 83

Age in Years: 12
Systolic Range: 119 - 127
Diastolic Range: 79 - 83

Age in Years: 3
Systolic Range: 104 - 110
Diastolic Range: 65 - 68

Age in Years: 4
Systolic Range: 105 - 111
Diastolic Range: 67 - 71

Age in Years: 5
Systolic Range: 107 - 113
Diastolic Range: 69 - 73

Age in Years: 6
Systolic Range: 108 - 114
Diastolic Range: 71 - 75

Age in Years: 7
Systolic Range: 110 - 116
Diastolic Range: 73 - 76

Age in Years: 8
Systolic Range: 112 - 118
Diastolic Range: 74 - 78

Age in Years: 9
Systolic Range: 114 - 120
Diastolic Range: 75 - 79

Age in Years: 10
Systolic Range: 116 - 122
Diastolic Range: 77 - 80

Age in Years: 11
Systolic Range: 118 - 124
Diastolic Range: 78 - 83

Age in Years: 12
Systolic Range: 120 - 126
Diastolic Range: 79 - 82

Tachycardia is the term used to describe consistently high RHR. If the RHR remains below the normal level for a longer period, then the condition is called 'bradycardia'. As athletes undergo intensive physical training, they have strong and healthy heart. A strong heart can pump a higher volume of blood with minimum efforts at each beat.

So, conditioned athletes have amazingly low RHR. Increased heart rate suggests that the heart is finding it difficult to pump the required amount of blood to the body organs and it has to put some extra efforts (beat faster) to do the needful.

The normal resting heart rate for an adult can be between 60-100. Babies up to age one may have RHR between 100-160. Children belonging to the age group 1-10 have RHR between 70-120 while children belonging to the age group 11-17 have RHR between 60-100. Well-trained athletes have normal RHR between 40-60 bpm.

Use of certain medications, intensity of physical activities, overall health (fitness), room/air temperature, the size and position of your body, strong emotions like fear, anxiety, anger, panic attacks, etc. can significantly affect your heart rate. You must have noticed that women have a slightly higher RHR than men.

A kid's heart rate varies according to the fitness level, weight, lifestyle, gender, etc. Kids exhibit varying blood pressure levels. During each heartbeat, you can measure the changes in blood pressure levels.

Figures of maximum (systolic) and minimum (diastolic) pressures were given in the data above. Pulse rate is generally measured by pressing fingers against the inner side of the wrist.

By measuring your RHR, the target heart rate zone (during exercise) can be predicted. After knowing about the maximum heart rate (MHR) allowed during exercise, you can increase or decrease the intensity of the exercise. You should not exercise above 85 percent of your MHR. You can make a chart for yourself and note down your readings.

Exercising with very high HR increases cardiovascular and orthopedic risks. Moreover, it doesn't offer any extra benefit. If you think that your heart rate is abnormal, you should consult your physician.