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Normal heart rate for 6 week old baby. Understanding Normal Heart Rates: From Infants to Adults

What is a normal heart rate for different age groups. How does heart rate change throughout life. When should you be concerned about your pulse rate. What factors influence heart rate in children and adults.

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The Basics of Heart Rate Measurement

Heart rate, also known as pulse, is a vital sign that measures the number of times your heart beats per minute. It provides crucial information about your overall health and cardiovascular function. But how exactly is it measured?

Where to Measure Pulse

There are several locations on the body where you can easily measure pulse:

  • Wrist (radial artery)
  • Neck (carotid artery)
  • Inside of elbow (brachial artery)
  • Top of foot (dorsalis pedis artery)
  • Behind the knee (popliteal artery)

The most common and convenient locations are the wrist and neck. To measure at the wrist, place your index and middle fingers on the underside of your opposite wrist, just below the base of the thumb. For the neck, gently press your fingers to the side of your windpipe. In both cases, you should feel a rhythmic pulsing sensation.

How to Count Pulse

Once you’ve located your pulse, count the number of beats for a full 60 seconds. Alternatively, you can count for 30 seconds and multiply by two, or even 15 seconds and multiply by four. However, a full minute provides the most accurate reading, especially if your heart rate is irregular.

Normal Heart Rates Across the Lifespan

Heart rate varies significantly with age, particularly in the early years of life. Understanding these ranges can help you gauge whether your or your child’s pulse falls within normal parameters.

Infant and Toddler Heart Rates

Newborns and young infants have the highest normal heart rates:

  • Newborns (0-1 month): 70-190 beats per minute (bpm)
  • Infants (1-11 months): 80-160 bpm
  • Toddlers (1-2 years): 80-130 bpm

Childhood Heart Rates

As children grow, their resting heart rates gradually decrease:

  • Preschoolers (3-4 years): 80-120 bpm
  • School-age (5-6 years): 75-115 bpm
  • Older children (7-9 years): 70-110 bpm

Adolescent and Adult Heart Rates

By age 10, most individuals have heart rates similar to adults:

  • Children 10 years and older: 60-100 bpm
  • Adults: 60-100 bpm
  • Well-trained athletes: 40-60 bpm

Factors Influencing Heart Rate in Children

Children’s heart rates can fluctuate widely throughout the day due to various factors. Understanding these influences can help parents and caregivers interpret pulse measurements more accurately.

Activity Level

Physical activity is a primary driver of heart rate changes in children. During exercise, the heart beats faster to supply more oxygen-rich blood to working muscles. How does this manifest in real-world scenarios?

  • Resting: Heart rate is at its lowest
  • Light activity (e.g., walking): Slight increase in heart rate
  • Moderate activity (e.g., brisk play): Noticeable increase
  • Vigorous activity (e.g., running): Significant increase, potentially doubling the resting rate

Emotional State

A child’s emotional state can have a profound impact on their heart rate. Strong emotions cause the release of stress hormones, which can quickly elevate pulse. Common emotional triggers include:

  • Excitement or anticipation
  • Fear or anxiety
  • Anger or frustration

Environmental Factors

External conditions can also affect a child’s heart rate:

  • Temperature: Heat can increase heart rate as the body works to cool itself
  • Altitude: Higher elevations may cause a temporary increase in pulse
  • Noise levels: Sudden loud noises can startle a child and spike their heart rate

When to Be Concerned About Heart Rate

While it’s normal for heart rates to fluctuate, certain patterns or extreme values may warrant medical attention. What signs should parents and individuals look out for?

Tachycardia

Tachycardia refers to an abnormally fast heart rate. In adults, this is typically defined as a resting heart rate over 100 bpm. For children, the threshold varies by age. Persistent tachycardia may indicate:

  • Fever or infection
  • Dehydration
  • Anemia
  • Thyroid problems
  • Anxiety disorders

Bradycardia

Bradycardia is an unusually slow heart rate. In adults, it’s generally defined as a resting rate below 60 bpm (unless you’re a well-conditioned athlete). Potential causes include:

  • Certain medications
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Heart block or other electrical conduction problems
  • Sleep apnea

Irregular Pulse

An irregular pulse can signify various heart rhythm disorders. While occasional skipped or extra beats are usually harmless, persistent irregularity should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Measuring Heart Rate in Special Populations

Certain groups require special considerations when measuring and interpreting heart rate. How do these populations differ in terms of pulse assessment?

Premature Infants

Premature babies often have higher heart rates than full-term infants. Their cardiovascular systems are still developing, and they may be more sensitive to environmental stimuli. Neonatal intensive care units closely monitor these infants’ heart rates, often using continuous electronic monitoring rather than manual pulse checks.

Pregnant Women

During pregnancy, a woman’s heart rate typically increases by 10-20 bpm. This is due to the increased blood volume and cardiac output needed to support the growing fetus. Pregnant women should discuss their target heart rate ranges with their healthcare provider, especially when it comes to exercise.

Elderly Individuals

While the normal adult heart rate range (60-100 bpm) applies to seniors, they may be more prone to bradycardia due to age-related changes in the heart’s electrical system. Additionally, many older adults take medications that can affect heart rate. Regular monitoring and communication with healthcare providers is crucial for this population.

Technology and Heart Rate Monitoring

Advancements in technology have revolutionized heart rate monitoring, making it more accessible and continuous. What tools are available for tracking pulse, and how accurate are they?

Wearable Devices

Smartwatches and fitness trackers often include heart rate monitors. These devices use optical sensors to detect blood flow in the wrist and estimate heart rate. While convenient for continuous monitoring, their accuracy can vary:

  • Generally reliable for resting heart rate
  • May be less accurate during intense exercise or with certain skin tones
  • Can provide valuable trend data over time

Smartphone Apps

Many smartphone apps claim to measure heart rate using the device’s camera and flash. These work by detecting subtle color changes in your fingertip that correspond to your pulse. However, their accuracy can be inconsistent and affected by factors like lighting and movement.

Medical-Grade Monitors

For those requiring more precise monitoring, medical-grade devices are available:

  • Chest strap monitors: Highly accurate, often used by athletes
  • Pulse oximeters: Measure both heart rate and blood oxygen levels
  • Holter monitors: Provide continuous ECG monitoring over 24-48 hours

Heart Rate and Fitness

Understanding your heart rate can be a powerful tool for improving fitness and monitoring exercise intensity. How can you use pulse information to optimize your workouts?

Target Heart Rate Zones

Exercise professionals often recommend working out within specific heart rate zones to achieve different fitness goals:

  • 50-60% of maximum heart rate: Warm-up zone
  • 60-70%: Fat-burning zone
  • 70-80%: Aerobic zone for improving cardiovascular fitness
  • 80-90%: Anaerobic zone for high-intensity training

To calculate your maximum heart rate, a common formula is 220 minus your age, although this is a rough estimate and individual variations exist.

Heart Rate Recovery

The rate at which your heart rate returns to normal after exercise can be an indicator of cardiovascular fitness. A faster recovery generally suggests better fitness. To measure this:

  1. Check your heart rate immediately after intense exercise
  2. Rest for one minute
  3. Check your heart rate again
  4. Calculate the difference

A decrease of 20 bpm or more is generally considered good, while a drop of less than 12 bpm may indicate a need for improved cardiovascular fitness.

Resting Heart Rate and Fitness

Your resting heart rate can provide insights into your overall cardiovascular health and fitness level. Generally, a lower resting heart rate indicates better cardiovascular fitness. Well-trained athletes often have resting heart rates in the 40-60 bpm range.

Regular aerobic exercise can lead to a gradual decrease in resting heart rate as the heart becomes more efficient at pumping blood. Tracking your resting heart rate over time can help you gauge the effectiveness of your fitness routine.

The Future of Heart Rate Monitoring

As technology continues to advance, the future of heart rate monitoring looks promising. What innovations are on the horizon, and how might they impact health and fitness?

Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics

Machine learning algorithms are being developed to analyze heart rate data along with other health metrics to predict potential health issues before they become serious. These systems could potentially:

  • Detect early signs of heart disease
  • Predict the onset of infections
  • Identify stress patterns and suggest interventions

Non-Contact Heart Rate Monitoring

Researchers are working on technologies that can measure heart rate without direct skin contact. These include:

  • Radar-based systems that detect subtle chest movements
  • Advanced cameras that can detect pulse from facial video
  • Mattress sensors for overnight monitoring

Integration with Smart Home Technology

Future smart home systems may incorporate heart rate monitoring into daily life. Imagine scenarios where:

  • Your home adjusts lighting and temperature based on your stress levels
  • Your car detects drowsiness through heart rate changes and suggests rest stops
  • Your fitness equipment automatically adjusts difficulty based on your real-time heart rate

As these technologies develop, they have the potential to revolutionize how we monitor and manage our health, making heart rate data an even more integral part of our daily lives.

Pulse

Medical Tests A-Z

Definition

The pulse is the number of heartbeats per minute.

Alternative Names

Heart rate; Heart beat

How the Test is Performed

The pulse can be measured at areas where an artery passes close to the skin. These areas include the:

  • Back of the knees
  • Groin
  • Neck
  • Temple
  • Top or inner side of the foot
  • Wrist

To measure the pulse at the wrist, place the index and middle finger over the underside of the opposite wrist, below the base of the thumb. Press with flat fingers until you feel the pulse.

To measure the pulse on the neck, place the index and middle fingers just to the side of the Adam’s apple, in the soft, hollow area. Press gently until you locate the pulse.

adam.com”>Note: Sit or lie down before taking the neck pulse. The neck arteries in some people are sensitive to pressure. Fainting or slowing of the heartbeat can result. Also, do not take the pulses on both sides of the neck at the same time. Doing so can slow the flow of blood to the head and lead to fainting.

Once you find the pulse, count the beats for 1 full minute. Or, count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2. This will give the beats per minute.

How to Prepare for the Test

To determine the resting heart rate, you must have been resting for at least 10 minutes. Take the exercise heart rate while you are exercising.

How the Test will Feel

There is a slight pressure from the fingers.

Why the Test is Performed

Measuring the pulse gives important information about your health. Any change from your normal heart rate can indicate a health problem. Fast pulse may signal an infection or dehydration. In emergency situations, the pulse rate can help determine if the person’s heart is pumping.

Pulse measurement has other uses as well. During or immediately after exercise, the pulse rate gives information about your fitness level and health.

Normal Results

For resting heart rate:

  • Newborns 0 to 1 month old: 70 to 190 beats per minute
  • Infants 1 to 11 months old: 80 to 160 beats per minute
  • Children 1 to 2 years old: 80 to 130 beats per minute
  • Children 3 to 4 years old: 80 to 120 beats per minute
  • Children 5 to 6 years old: 75 to 115 beats per minute
  • Children 7 to 9 years old: 70 to 110 beats per minute
  • Children 10 years and older, and adults (including seniors): 60 to 100 beats per minute
  • Well-trained athletes: 40 to 60 beats per minute

What Abnormal Results Mean

adam.com”>Resting heart rates that are continually high (tachycardia) may mean a problem. Talk to your health care provider about this. Also discuss resting heart rates that are below the normal values (bradycardia).

A pulse that is very firm (bounding pulse) and that lasts for more than a few minutes should be checked by your provider as well. An irregular pulse can also indicate a problem.

A pulse that is hard to locate may mean blockages in the artery. These blockages are common in people with diabetes or hardening of the artery from high cholesterol. Your provider may order a test known as a Doppler study to check the blockages.

References

Bernstein D. History and physical examination. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 422.

Simel DL. Approach to the patient: history and physical examination. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 7.

Review Date: 07/02/2019

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only — they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright ©2019 A.D.A.M., Inc., as modified by University of California San Francisco. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Information developed by A.D.A.M., Inc. regarding tests and test results may not directly correspond with information provided by UCSF Health. Please discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.

Normal Heart Rates for Children

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Your child’s heart rate (also called pulse) can vary wildly throughout the day. Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats each minute. Daily activities can change how fast or slow the rate fluctuates – from a slow, steady beat while resting or sleeping to a higher rate during exercise.

“There’s a wide variation in what a normal heart rate can be depending on the age of the child as well as the biological make-up of that individual child,” says Colin Kane, M.D., pediatric cardiologist at Children’s Health℠ and Director of the Cardiology Outreach Program. “Even kids who are the same age can have different resting heart rates.”

What is a healthy heart rate for a child?

When your child is sitting quietly, their heart rate is considered a resting heart rate. A healthy resting heart rate can vary by age.

  • Newborns 0 to 1 month old: 70 to 190 beats per minute
  • Infants 1 to 11 months old: 80 to 160 beats per minute
  • Children 1 to 2 years old: 80 to 130 beats per minute
  • Children 3 to 4 years old: 80 to 120 beats per minute
  • Children 5 to 6 years old: 75 to 115 beats per minute
  • Children 7 to 9 years old: 70 to 110 beats per minute
  • Children 10 years and older: 60 to 100 beats per minute

It’s likely that your child’s pulse stays within these healthy ranges, even if the pulse feels very fast. Understanding the variations in heart rates and how to properly check your child’s rate can help keep track and prevent unnecessary concern.

What can change a child’s heart rate?

Just as in adults, a child’s heart rate will vary depending on the activity level, whether asleep or awake, and whether your child is healthy or ill, calm or stressed.

“Your child’s heart rate is typically not linked to an intrinsic heart problem,” says Dr. Kane. “Their heart rate can go up with anything that makes them excited or uncomfortable. When this happens, it’s just a natural response to stress.”

A child might have a fast heart rate if they are:

  • Playing or exercising vigorously
  • Experiencing pain
  • Feeling anxious or stressed
  • Experiencing a fever or illness
  • Drinking a lot of caffeine or energy drinks
  • Dehydrated

If your child is experiencing any of the above, a fast heart rate is typically not a cause for concern, though drinking a lot of caffeine can cause problems in some children. Also, remember that your child’s heart naturally beats faster than an adult heart and can get much faster during exercise than an adult heart rate.

However, if your child is experiencing symptoms such as chest pain or trouble breathing along with a fast heart rate, they may need medical attention. Dr. Kane says a good rule of thumb is if your child’s heart is beating too fast for you to count the beats, then medical help may be needed.

A child typically experiences a slower heart rate when sleeping. However, if their heart rate is slow in the middle of the day and they show symptoms of lethargy or experience fainting, they may need medical help.

How can I check my child’s heart rate?

Measuring your child’s pulse is easy. There are several places on the body where you can check the pulse including the wrist, inside the elbow or the side of the neck. For most parents, the wrist is the easiest, most accessible place. To check your child’s heart rate, place two fingers on their wrist, below their thumb. Apply gentle pressure until you can feel a slight beat against your fingertips. Count how many beats you feel in 15 seconds. Then multiply that number by 4 to determine your child’s heart rate, which is measured in beats per minute.

For instance, if you feel 20 beats in 15 seconds, your child’s heart rate is 80 beats per minute, a normal rate.

However, you may not be able to easily find a pulse in infants or younger children who have smaller blood vessels. A medical professional with experience in caring for children will likely need to take their pulse.

“If you’re not familiar with taking a pulse, it may take a few tries until you become more comfortable and confident,” says Dr. Kane. “The best thing to do if you are concerned is to have a person with medical training check it for you.”

If your child has a heart condition requiring heart rate monitoring, your doctor can teach you how to find their pulse and take their heart rate. Some wearable devices and smartphones can also read the heart rate with good accuracy.

If you are worried about your child’s heart rate, Dr. Kane recommends you call your pediatrician. “There are very normal and benign conditions that can give your child an irregular heartbeat,” he says. “That’s why it’s best to be evaluated by a medical professional.”

What do I do if my child has a rapid heartbeat?

A rapid heartbeat in a child could be a cause for concern. If your child’s heartbeat is too fast, you should call your pediatrician. Share the pulse you counted with them, and they will let you know the best next steps.   

If your child’s heart is beating too fast for you to count the beats, that could be cause for concern. Learn how to check pulse and what a healthy heart rate is via @Childrens.

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The experts at the Heart Center at Children’s Health care for all children’s heart conditions, from congenital heart defects to heart disease. Find out how they can help keep your child’s heart healthy.

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