What is a normal heart rate?

Deconstructing the myth that the normal range for the resting heart rate is 60-100.

REFERENCES

Maximum predicted HR:
Robergs R, Landwehr R. The surprising history of the "HRmax = 200-age" equation. Journal of Exercise Physiology online. 2002; 5:1-10.

Fetal HR:
DuBose TJ. Embryonic heart rates. Fertil Steril. 2009; 92:e57.

Evidence for normal heart rate range:
Mason JW, et al. Electrocardiographic reference ranges derived from 79,743 ambulatory subjects. J Electrocardiol. 2007; 40:228-34.

Survey of cardiologists about defining normal sinus rhythm:
Spodick DH. Survey of selected cardiologists for an operational definition of normal sinus heart rate. Am J Cardiol. 1993; 72:487-8.

History of "normal sinus rhythm":
Dolgin M. Normal sinus rhythm. Am J Cardiol. 1993; 71:496-7.

Kossmann CE. The normal electrocardiogram. Circulation. 1953;920-36.

Spodick DH. Is there such a thing as normal sinus rate? Br Heart J. 1993;486-7.

HR and mortality following a myocardial infarction:
Hjalmarson A, et al. Influence of heart rate on mortality after acute myocardial infarction. Am J Cardiol. 1990;65:547-53.

HR and mortality among all adults:
Aladin A, et al. Relation of resting heart rate to risk for all-cause mortality by gender after considering exercise capacity (the Henry Ford exercise testing project). Am J Cardiol. 2014; 114:1701-6.

General background on the topic of normal HRs:
Spodick DH. Redefinition of normal sinus heart rate. Chest. 1993; 104:939-41.

[StrongMed]

While I sincerely appreciate everyone's interest in the video, and their interest in wanting to know more, I ask that viewers refrain from asking questions about their own personal heart rate here. Soliciting medical advice on the Internet is dangerous - even when all parties have the best intentions. And this channel does not offer specific, individualized medical opinions for viewers. If you have concerns about your own heart rate, please speak with your doctor.

[norahqaed]

for 2 years now, i followed u're videos Dr.Strong,
really loved the new formatting, with the same level of intellectuality and transparency.
THANK U.

[nancylindsay]

Hell yes! This kind of analysis is so very important!

In the same way, many people who fall outside of the "typical" or "normal, " (like people of dwarf stature) are literally left out of most studies and are literally off the resultant charts. Do labs' standard ranges apply? How could they? What are the consequences where they do not? Clinicians have no time or inclination to worry about or allow for this. Specialists are not interested. Those patients fall between the cracks uncared for and dismissed.

[adam_wynne]

This video has brought me TONNES of relief! I've had health anxiety as well as GAD for a long time now and it's been horrendous for the last few weeks! One of my biggest fears has always been heart health and I always worried that my resting rate (just below 60bpm) was too slow, despite having an "all clear" ECG and blood test only a few days ago. So yeah, thanks a lot for a massive weight off my shoulders, and an overall very informative video 😊

[SirPeachTree]

Bravo! Big fan of the new format, especially the inclusion of a reference list.

[MaximillianTiberius]

Great video Dr Strong and very interesting topic ! I've watched and liked almost all of your lectures, from the beginning where I had to strain my ears, up until now where I enjoy the audio and even better video quality. Keep up the good work!

[SirPetterTheFirst]

imagine being 221 year old, by that calculation your heart rate is now reversed

[thACgurl]

Love the new format and the links to reference material. Keep up the great work. I've been recommending this channel to all my friends in healthcare.

[Rave]

Sir, what a great video, this is the information I was looking for. I hope we may see another informative video on Tachycardia or Bradycardia in future. Thanks for the great explanation.

[nicnak]

Fitness makes a difference to the heart rate, when i was running 70 miles a week and training for a marathon my resting pulse was only 38 .

[BlueLineofthesky]

I really love your videos! My resting heart rate is 52-54 and while sleeping is 45-46. I was tested by 4 different cardiologists and I did many blood tests, ECG, echocardiography of the heart and of the carotid, x-ray, and 24-hour Holter...all with good results. My blood pressure is about 140/80. When I am at the office on the chair my heart rate is 52-60. If I walk on the street, my heart rate is about 80-90 beats per minute. if I walk fast my heart rate can go to 120 beats per minute. I do not have diabetes but I have sleep problems, generalized anxiety syndrome and I am overweight. I eat well, as naturally as possible, with no sugar, and no junk food, I quit smoking 10 years ago and I do not drink more than a beer/per day. I also have severe vitamin D deficiency (Magnesium and Potassium are fine) and I take 4000 UI per day. Lack of sun is the problem. For me, it is very hard to lose weight even after 6 months of intermittent fasting and keto. Because of STRESS. This is my main issue. My battle. I follow your videos because you are making me feel more energetic and reassured. Reading on the internet can be misleading and stressful. This is why I find your information much more reliable and I can relate to many of the subjects in your videos. God bless!

[PABartman]

Very informative and presented in an easy to understand format. Thank you so much for this wonderful resource!

[DrAhmedFawzi]

Love the new style and the better video quality.Thank you very much Dr Eric

[megancahn]

This video made me feel better, thank you! I was nervous when I woke up in the middle of the night with a resting heart rate of 43.

[cyrillayman]

I walk between 90-110 miles a week with my dog & work out on my heavy bag 4 times a week 20 minutes each time.I am 51 years old & have a resting heart rate of 48-54 beats a minute.My doctor say's my heart beat is extremely strong & healthy & the reason i have a slow heart rate is because of all the exercise i do & to keep it up.

[sealtestdan]

The new format is easy to follow and the higher quality is attractive. Your content is always interesting. The music, however, is quite distracting when concentrating. If you must have background music, maybe you could play it at a lower volume or even have an option to turn the music off.

[CedomirP]

Thank you. I liked the new format. It draws my attention at a higher level. Music just adds some fun for me and sort of provide a feeling of speeding up time spent on watching the video. Also appreciate the new quality of video. Very good job Dr. Strong.

[Antruiz]

What an incredibly informative and interesting video.  It seems to be grounded in solid science, well researched and your challenge of conventional beliefs  reveals how much more we still need to learn.  Thank you very much for taking  a very complex topic and presenting it in an " easy-to-digest" manner.  Well done!

[sal]

Sir,

I enjoyed the new video format very much. I'm glad to see you taking this channel to the next level. I truly believe this channel to be one of the best on YouTube.

I will have to echos others about the music. I noticed the music several times, which I think detracts from your objective during the lecture.

Great work as always, we are fortunate to have your instruction. Thank you!

[marquez]

You look like Cameron from Ferris Bueller's day off