What is a normal resting heart rate?

Whether it’s an emergency visit or a routine check-up, there’s a good chance a health care provider will check someone’s heart rate. When not in a healthy range — or when out of rhythm — the resting heart rate may be an indicator of an underlying health issue.

So, what is that healthy range? For teenagers and adults, a consistent resting heart rate above 100 beats per minute (bpm) is cause for concern. Here’s why.

In this article:

What a normal resting heart rate means

The heart should beat around 60 to 100 times each minute when someone is in a relaxed state.

Unless someone is an athlete, a heart rate under 60 bpm is considered too slow and is grouped under the term bradycardia. This lower rate sometimes signals an underlying health problem, but many athletes find that their heart rates lower beyond the normal range as they train.

Having a high resting heart rate — over 100 bpm — can also be a red flag for a number of conditions. This condition is called tachycardia.

If someone’s resting heart rate is lower or higher than these heart rates, it’s important to contact a health care provider.

Adults can use a heart rate monitor to help keep track of their resting heart rate.

What is a good resting heart rate by age?

The body changes as we age, and so does the ideal resting heart rate. Usually, heart rates are faster in babies and children compared to adults.

The following ranges are considered normal for various ages when they are awake:

• Newborns up to 4 weeks old: 100 to 205 bpm
• Infants between 4 weeks to 1 year: 100 to 180 bpm
• Toddlers up to 3 years old: 98 to 140 bpm
• Preschoolers between 3 and 5 years old: 80 to 120 bpm
• Children from 5 to 12 years old: 75 to 118 bpm
• Teens and adults: 60 to 100 bpm

What are some common causes of heart rates outside of these ranges?

Heart rate may be out of the normal range for several reasons. Bradycardia, which is a lower heart rate, may be normal for athletes or when people are asleep. Many different medications may cause bradycardia, including beta blockers, nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, antiarrhythmics, antidepressants, opioids and sedatives.

Other common causes of bradycardia include damage to the heart tissue related to heart disease or a heart attack, inflammation of the heart tissue, complications of heart surgery, congenital heart disease, hypothyroidism, obstructive sleep apnea and electrolyte abnormalities.

On the other end, a higher heart rate is often normal at times. For instance, heart rate will increase when someone is working out, consuming caffeine, taking certain medications (like decongestants, albuterol or stimulants) or during pregnancy.

Sinus tachycardia (which happens when someone’s resting heart rate is over 100 bpm, usually due to stress) may also be caused by health issues, including:

• Anemia 
• Dehydration
• Fever and infection
• Heart disease
• Overactive thyroid

A fast heart rate can also be caused by an abnormal heart rhythm, called an arrythmia. There are many different types of arrhythmias that may require treatment by a cardiologist. If someone thinks their resting heart rate is out of the normal range, they should talk to a health care provider, who may suggest ongoing monitoring, lifestyle changes or medical treatments to get it under control.

Can anxiety cause a high heart rate?

If someone has ever felt their “heart beating out of their chest” in response to a stressful situation, they may have experienced how anxiety affects heart rate. Heart rates can increase if a person is nervous, excited or scared. For some people, a trip to the doctor’s office is enough to speed up their heart.