Pulse (heart rate)

Alternative names:

heart rate

Normal values:

For resting heart rate:

• newborn infants; 100 to 160 beats per minute
• children 1 to 10 years; 70 to 120 beats per minute
• children over 10 and adults; 60 to 100 beats per minute
• well-trained athletes; 40 to 60 beats per minute

What abnormal results mean:

Resting heart rates that are consistently high (tachycardia) may indicate a problem, and you should consult a health care provider. Discuss resting heart rates that are below the normal values (bradycardia) with a health care provider. Also, discuss a pulse that is very firm (bounding pulse) and that lasts for more than a few minutes with the health care provider. An irregular pulse can also indicate a problem (see Heartbeat sensations).