A person’s heart rate may become dangerous if it is too high or too low. However, many factors can affect when a heart rate is dangerous. Show
The heart rate changes throughout the day to accommodate the demands of the body. It is higher during times of intense activity and lowest when a person relaxes or sleeps. The heart rate also changes during pregnancy, fever, and times of anxiety. Identifying a person’s usual heart rate pattern can help them understand what a dangerous heart rate is for them personally. This article will explain ideal heart rates, taking into account factors such as medication use and age. It will also explain some methods a person can try to raise or lower their heart rate. A person should undergo regular checks to determine their heart rates at rest and while exercising. This could help them understand if there are any changes in their heart rate that could be dangerous. People can learn how to check their pulse here. At restAccording to the American Heart Association (AHA), a normal resting heart rate is 60–100 beats per minute (bpm) for most adults. However, some people have heart rates outside of these ranges and are still perfectly healthy. For example, an elite athlete might have a very low resting heart rate of 40 bpm. While exercisingThe heart rate greatly increases when a person is very active or exercising. The highest rate a person’s heart can safely reach is their maximum heart rate. This declines with age. The ideal heart rate, or target heart rate, for exercise also declines with age. In general, for most adults, the target and maximum heart rates are as follows: A person’s heart rate increase during exercise depends on many factors, including how intense the workout is and how fit they are. A very sedentary person might find that their heart rate increases when walking from one room to another. People who exercise regularly may need very intense workouts to get their heart rate up. If a person’s heart rate is temporarily outside of these numbers during exercise, it is not usually a medical emergency. According to the AHA, a person can push themselves a little more or less depending on their heart rate target. While sleepingFor most people, their sleeping heart rate will fall to the lower end of the normal resting heart rate range of 60–100 bpm. In deep sleep, the heart rate may fall below 60 bpm, especially in people who have very low heart rates while awake. After waking, a person’s heart rate will begin increasing toward their usual resting heart rate. In childrenChildren, especially young children, tend to have higher heart rates than adults. Like adults, factors such as anxiety, fever, and heat may influence their heart rate. This table shows the ideal heart rate ranges for children during wakefulness and sleep: Many different factors can influence a person’s heart rate. In most cases, having a very high or very low heart rate is only dangerous when there is not an obvious explanation. High heart rateSome factors that may cause a high heart rate include:
It is important to keep in mind that panicking about having a high heart rate may cause it to become even higher. Taking a few deep breaths and trying calming exercises may help a person assess whether or not their heart rate really is dangerous. If there is an obvious cause of a heart rate change, such as pain or a fever, try addressing that first to see if the heart rate returns to normal. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndromeA person with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) may experience an increased heart rate upon standing up. They may also experience dizziness and a drop in blood pressure. POTS is a condition of the autonomic nervous system. It happens because this system does not properly regulate bodily functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, or breathing. Learn more about POTS here. Low heart rateIn general, the lower a person’s resting heart rate, the healthier their heart muscle. However, a very low heart rate in those who are not athletic or healthy can be a sign of a condition affecting the electrical system of the heart. A sudden drop in heart rate far below a person’s usual resting heart rate may indicate sepsis (a potentially life threatening systemic infection), a brain bleed, or the electrical system of the heart failing. In a person with any symptoms of illness, excessive bleeding, a recent serious injury, fainting, or dizziness, a low heart rate is an emergency. According to one 2020 article, the following factors may lead to a person experiencing a low heart rate:
The following medications could also cause a low heart rate:
Determining the cause of a low heart rate means that a doctor can treat it accordingly. This may involve treating an underlying condition or changing the person’s medication. Having a heart rate that is consistently outside of the ideal ranges above could lead to complications. Low heart rateWithout appropriate treatment, a low heart rate can cause:
Over time, both high and low heart rates may damage the heart. Having a very low heart rate can also damage the heart and other organs. This is more commonly associated with low blood pressure or other signs of shock. High heart rateWithout proper treatment, a very high heart rate can lead to:
Underlying conditionsFor most people, having a heart rate that is consistently too high or too low may signal an underlying condition, such as:
It is not an emergency if the heart rate briefly falls outside of the recommended range or if a person has a shift in heart rate that improves with relaxation or deep breathing. However, a person should contact a doctor if they:
A person should go to the emergency room if they:
If a person’s heart rate is too low or is only low temporarily, treatment might not be necessary. If medication is causing the low heart rate, a person can discuss changing medications with a doctor. Having a pacemaker might also help a person’s body regulate their heart rate in some cases. If a person’s high heart rate is due to stress or exercise, taking steps to reduce these can help lower their heart rate. Learn about some ways to treat and manage stress here. If the high heart rate is due to an underlying cause such as sepsis or hypoxia, treating this will also help regulate the heart rate. To lower a high heart rate at home, a person can:
A person can also try the Valsalva maneuver, which increases pressure in the chest and can lower a person’s heart rate. The Valsalva maneuver involves holding the breath and bearing down. Learn more about the Valsalva maneuver here. If these measures do not work and a person’s heart rate is consistently high, they should contact a doctor. Learn about more ways to lower the heart rate here. The heart responds to the pressures the body faces, and it may change its rhythm based on the muscles’ demand for blood and oxygen. However, when heart rate changes appear to be random, are long-term, or occur with other symptoms, it may signal an underlying medical problem. Only a doctor can diagnose the issue and treat it accordingly. Read this article in Spanish. Should I stop exercising if my heart rate is too high?If your heart rate is staying at a high rate or beating out of rhythm, it's time to stop." 4. You experience chest pain. "Chest pain is never normal or expected," says Gulati, also division chief of cardiology at University of Arizona College of Medicine, who says that, in rare cases, exercise can cause a heart attack.
Is 170 a high heart rate when working out?The maximum rate is based on your age, as subtracted from 220. So for a 50-year-old, maximum heart rate is 220 minus 50, or 170 beats per minute. At a 50 percent exertion level, your target would be 50 percent of that maximum, or 85 beats per minute.
Is 160 heart rate high during exercise?Most runners ages 20 to 45 will want to train between 100 and 160 bpm, on average. But that average depends on a number of factors, including your maximum heart rate and current fitness level. You can use the formula and chart below to determine your target heart rate range.
Is a heart rate of 150 too high when exercising?For moderate activity, you want your heart rate to be between 90 and 126 (that's 50% to 70%) the entire 150 minutes you're exercising. For vigorous, aim for a heart rate between 126 and 153 (that's 70% to 85%) when you're exercising.
|