What Is a Good Heart Rate for My Age Chart?

A good heart rate differs from person to person.

Your heart rate is a measure of how fast your heart beats and is also an important indicator of good health. Your doctor will always make it a point to measure your heart rate whenever you visit him for your routine health checkup or any health-related problem.

A good heart rate differs from individual to individual, and it depends on your age and the kind of physical work you do. While the normal resting heart rate for most adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm), trained athletes or very active individuals may have a heart rate as low as 40-60 bpm. This is a good resting heart rate for them, considering their physical activity level and lifestyle. Similarly, adults and kids can have different normal heart rate ranges, as a good resting heart rate varies by age, too.

The American Heart Association (AHA) mentions the following for a normal resting heart rate:

• Adults (15 years or older): 60-100 bpm
• Children (6-15 years): 70-100 bpm
• Infants and toddlers: Faster baseline, often 80-160 bpm, which gradually lowers as they age

This aligns with the heart rate (or pulse rate) by age chart given below.

Normal heart rate by age chart

Given below is the chart showing normal heart rates by age.

This table highlights the average heartbeat expected at each age stage.

However, a heart rate that is lower than 60 per minute does not necessarily mean that it is abnormal. If you are an athlete or someone who is engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity, you may have a heart rate between 40 and 60 beats per minute.

Your target heart rate during exercise is typically 50% to 85% of your maximum heart rate.

Maximum heart rate is roughly calculated by subtracting your age from 220. That is, 220 minus your age. For example, if you are 35 years old, your estimated maximum heart rate will be 220 minus 35 (220 - 35), which is 185 bpm.

At a 50% exertion level, your target heart rate should be 50% of your maximum heart rate, which equals 93 bpm. At an 85% exertion level, your target would increase to 157 bpm. Therefore, for a 35-year-old person, the recommended target heart rate during exercise is between 93 and 157 bpm.

Target heart rate by age chart

While the heart rate is routinely examined by your doctor, you can also measure your heart rate.

With the help of your middle finger and index finger, you have to first try to feel and locate your pulse at any of the following places:

• Wrist on the palm side under the thumb
• The inner side of your elbow
• The side of your neck

The wrist is the most used and convenient place to check your heart rate. Once you locate the pulse on your wrist, you must gently press on it for 60 seconds and count the beats. This is how you will know your heart rate, which will be in beats per minute.

Tachycardia or a fast heart rate occurs when your resting heart rate is faster than normal, which is about 60-100 beats per minute.

You may have a dangerous heart rate if your heart rate is:

• Too high: Persistent resting heart rate above 100 bpm (tachycardia)
• Too low: Resting heart rate consistently below 40 bpm (unless you are a trained athlete)
• Irregular: Uneven or unpredictable rhythm (arrhythmia)

If your heart rate is consistently above 100 beats per minute and you experience the following symptoms, you should go to the emergency room:

• Chest pain or discomfort that is severe, unexpected, and followed by shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or weakness
• Angina-type chest pain (radiating to the left shoulder, back, or left little finger) that lasts longer than 10 minutes and is not relieved by rest and medication (nitroglycerin)
• Shortness of breath that continues even after rest
• Sudden weakness or paralysis in your arms or legs
• Sudden onset of a severe headache
• Dizziness
• Fainting spell with loss of consciousness

Before you become worried about your heart rate, it is important to know the things that can increase or decrease your heart rate.

Your heart rate might be increased for the following reasons:

• Soon after you consume coffee or smoke.
• Whenever you feel scared, anxious, or stressed out.
• If the climate is hot and humid.
• If you are obese.
• If you are on certain medicines like decongestants.
• If you indulge in binge drinking frequently.

Health conditions that may increase your heart rate and could be improved upon by treatment include:

• A thyroid disorder like hyperthyroidism
• Low hemoglobin level in the blood (anemia)

Some conditions, like supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), may cause a sudden increase in your heart rate at rest. This is a medical emergency and needs immediate medical attention. This condition may lead to sudden death.

Consuming heavy amounts of alcohol frequently can lead to a fast and irregular heart rate (atrial fibrillation). This again is a medical emergency.

A persistent high heart rate can also mean that the heart muscle is weakened, which forces it to pump harder to deliver the same amount of blood.

You may have a lower resting heart rate due to:

• Exercising regularly
• Low levels of thyroid hormones in the body (hypothyroidism)
• Certain medications like beta-blockers, which are used for treating hypertension and anxiety

You should also be concerned about your heart rate if you notice your heart beating at an irregular rhythm frequently. This can be a serious condition known as arrhythmia, for which you should see your doctor right away.

Is 72 bpm a good heart rate?

Yes, 72 beats per minute (bpm) is a good heart rate. According to the American Heart Association, your risk of dying from a heart attack is lower if your heart rate is below 80 beats per minute.

A normal resting heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. However, it is healthier to have a heart rate that is at the lower end of the range.

What is a normal heart rate for a child?

A normal heart rate for a child (1-15 years old) is 70-100 bpm.

What bpm is too high for kids?

A resting heart rate consistently above 120 bpm in children (outside of exercise, fever, or stress) is considered too high and may signal tachycardia.

What is a high heart rate in seniors?

For seniors, a resting heart rate consistently above 100 bpm is considered high (tachycardia).

Is it okay to hit the max heart rate?

It's generally safe to approach your maximum heart rate during vigorous exercise if you are healthy, but it should not be sustained for long periods.

What is the danger zone for heart rate?

A heart rate above 100 bpm is considered to be a danger zone for heart rate.

What is the best time to check heart rate?

The best time to check your heart rate is in the morning, right after waking up and before getting out of bed, as this reflects your true resting heart rate.