Heart rate; Heart beat

For resting heart rate:

• Newborns (0-30 days old): 70 - 190 beats per minute
• Infants (1 - 11 months old): 80-120 beats per minute
• Children 1 to 10 years: 70 - 130 beats per minute
• Children over 10 and adults (including seniors): 60 - 100 beats per minute
• Well-trained athletes: 40 - 60 beats per minute

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 your health care provider.

Also, discuss a pulse that is very firm (bounding pulse) and that lasts for more than a few minutes with your health care provider. An irregular pulse can also indicate a problem.

A pulse that is hard to feel may indicate blockages in the artery. These blockages are common in people with diabetes or atherosclerosis from high cholesterol. Your health care provider may order a test known as a Doppler study to evaluate this potentially serious situation.

See also: Heartbeat sensations

Images

Wrist pulse

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Pulse Risks

Review Date: 01/31/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)