What should resting heart rate

Vigorous exercise is the best way to both lower your resting heart rate and increase your maximum heart rate and aerobic capacity. Because it's impossible to maintain a maximum heart rate for more than a few minutes, physiologists have advised setting a percentage of your maximum heart rate as a target during exercise.

However, if you don't exercise regularly, you should check with your doctor before you set a target heart rate. Some medications—particularly beta blockers—can lower your heart rate.

Your doctor can help you set realistic goals. Although you may be able to feel your blood pumping in a number of places—your neck, the inside of your elbow, and even the top of your foot—your wrist is probably the most convenient and reliable place to get a good pulse.

Press your index and middle fingers together on your wrist, below the fat pad of your thumb. Feel around lightly until you detect throbbing. If you press too hard you may suppress the pulse. You can probably get a pretty accurate reading by counting the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiplying that number by four.

The best time to get your resting heart rate is first thing in the morning, even before you get out of bed. To gauge your maximum heart rate, take your pulse immediately after exercising as vigorously as possible. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Place your index and third fingers on your neck to the side of your windpipe. To check your pulse at your wrist, place two fingers between the bone and the tendon over your radial artery — which is located on the thumb side of your wrist.

When you feel your pulse, count the number of beats in 15 seconds. Multiply this number by four to calculate your beats per minute. Although there's a wide range of normal, an unusually high or low heart rate may indicate an underlying problem. Consult your doctor if your resting heart rate is consistently above beats a minute tachycardia or if you're not a trained athlete and your resting heart rate is below 60 beats a minute bradycardia — especially if you have other signs or symptoms, such as fainting, dizziness or shortness of breath.

Edward R. Laskowski, M. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

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See more conditions. Request Appointment. Healthy Lifestyle Fitness. Products and services. What's a normal resting heart rate? Answer From Edward R. With Edward R. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Important Note: Some drugs and medications affect heart rate, meaning you may have a lower maximum heart rate and target zone.

If you have a heart condition or take medication, ask your healthcare provider what your heart rate should be. Slow your roll! Woo hoo! Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff.

Fitness Basics. Getting Active. Staying Motivated. How do I get my heart rate in the target zone? What is a resting heart rate? Is resting heart rate different by age? The figures are averages, so use them as a general guide.