How your heart works
A healthy heart functions like a pump, delivering oxygen rich blood throughout the body.
Heart rate explained
What is heart rate?
Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute (bpm).
Is heart rate the same as pulse rate?
Your heart rate and pulse rate are often both used to describe how many times your heart beats per minute.
When your heart beats it pushes blood through your body. You can feel this “pulse” in places on your body, like your wrist or neck.
Normal heart rates
What is a normal resting heart rate?
A normal resting heart rate is usually between 60 and 100 bpm for adults. However, some people may have a heart rate outside this range.
Your heart rate can change every minute and what’s “normal” is different for everyone because of their age, health, and if your biological sex is male or female.
Your lifestyle also affects your heart rate, for example if you:
If you have a heart condition, your doctor can tell you what your normal heart rate should be and what symptoms to look out for with your heart condition.
Do women have a different resting heart rate to men?
Women have a slightly higher resting heart rate compared with men. This is because women’s hearts tend to be slightly smaller and pump less blood per beat, so they need to beat more regularly to pump blood around the body.
Abnormal heart rates
What is an abnormal heart rate?
An abnormal heart rate is when your heart beats:
- too slowly
- too quickly
- irregularly, like it misses beats or has extra beats.
This is called an arrhythmia. It can feel like fluttering or pounding in your chest and make you feel dizzy, faint or breathless.
It’s estimated that more than 2 million people in the UK experience heart rhythm problems. Most of them will be able to lead normal lives.
What is a dangerously abnormal heart rate?
A dangerously abnormal heart rate is when your heart is not beating properly and cannot pump enough blood around your body.
An abnormal heart rate can increase the risk of stroke and in some cases, it can lead to a cardiac arrest. But not all abnormal heart rates are dangerous so it's important to know what’s normal for you.
Contact your doctor if you’re worried about your heart rate.
What is a slow heart rate (bradycardia)?
A heart rate below 60 bpm while resting is too slow for most people. A slow heart rate, also known as bradycardia, can be normal for people like athletes who are very fit.
A slow heart rate can also be caused by medicine, such as beta blockers.
If you have a slow heart rate and are experiencing symptoms like fainting and tiredness, you should make an appointment with your GP.
What is a fast heart rate (tachycardia)?
A resting heart rate above 100 bpm is too fast for most people. A fast heart rate, also known as tachycardia, can be caused by health conditions.
These conditions can include:
- infections and viruses
- anaemia
- overactive thyroid
- anxiety and stress
- high temperatures
- being dehydrated.
A fast heart rate can make you feel dizzy, faint, tired or like your chest is pounding or fluttering (palpitations).
If you’re experiencing symptoms or have a fast resting heart rate you should make an appointment with your GP.
What affects your heart rate or pulse
Does my heart rate change when exercising?
It’s normal for your heart rate to go up when you’re exercising. This is because your heart is working harder to pump more blood high in oxygen around your body.
Watch our short video explaining your target heart rate during exercise
If you have a heart condition, ask your GP or specialist about a safe heart rate when you're exercising.
Do medicines affect your heart rate?
Some medicines can change your heart rate. For example, certain asthma medicines can speed up your heart rate.
Meanwhile other medicines, such as beta blockers, can help control your heart rate by slowing it down. Check with your doctor about the medicine you’re taking and how it helps control your heart rate.
Speak to your doctor if you notice a change in your heart rate when taking medicine.
Does infection or fever increase my heart rate?
It’s common for your heart rate to increase when you have an infection, fever or virus like the flu or Covid-19.
This happens as your heart pumps harder to deliver oxygen and immune cells around your body, helping to fight the infection.
How to check your pulse
How can I measure my pulse?
You can find out your normal resting heart rate by measuring your pulse.
Watch our short video on how to check your pulse
You can also buy a heart rate monitor which measures your heart rate for you. You can buy one online or ask your local pharmacy to help you pick the right heart rate monitor.
Get help with your heart rate
When should you speak to a GP about your heart rate?
It’s important to remember that not all changes to your heart rate mean something is wrong.
Speak to your GP if you notice that your heart rate is consistently fast, slow or its irregular, especially if you feel faint or dizzy too.
Your doctor can check your heart rate and arrange further tests if needed.
More support
- Speak to our cardiac nurses by phone, callback, email or online chat on our Heart Helpline (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
- Sign up to our Heart Matters magazine for online tips, support and recipes to look after your heart health.
- Join our online HealthUnlocked community to speak to other people going through the same experience.
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How to check your pulse
You may be able to tell if you have a normal or irregular heart rate by checking your pulse. You can check your own pulse at home.
Arrhythmias
An arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm, usually means your heart is beating too fast, too slow or not regularly.