A RACING HEART is not always love!
Is it a heart attack or a panic attack? The symptoms can be very similar but can be extremely concerning. A normal heart rate or pulse rate is between 60 and 100 per minute (BPM) taken when you are not exercising. It is also known as the resting heart rate.
The heart rate keeps changing throughout the day to accommodate the demands of the body. It is high during times of intense activity or stress and changes through sleep and resting time. Identifying a person’s normal heart rate can help them understand what is a dangerous heart rate.
I am here to help you determine the ideal heart rate and to tell you methods to raise or lower your heart rate.
Table of Contents
Ideal or Normal Heart Rate
A person must undergo regular checks to determine heart rates at rest and while exercising. This helps in understanding if there are changes in the heart rate that could be dangerous.
At Rest
A normal heart rate at rest is 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm) for most adults. However, some people also have heart rates outside these ranges and they still live healthy lives. An athlete in this case might have a very low resting heart rate of 40 bpm. So, ‘what is a dangerous heart rate’ is still a question.
While Exercising
The heart rate increases itself when you are indulged in exercise or if you are very active. The highest rate a person’s heart can safely reach is the maximum heart rate. This obviously starts declining with age. The ideal heart rate while exercising also declines with age.
To answer the question of what is a dangerous heart rate for a woman and a man, here is a list of target and maximum heart rates.
| Age (Years) | Target Heart Rate (bpm) | Average Maximum Rate |
| 20 | 100 to 170 | 200 |
| 30 | 95 to 162 | 190 |
| 35 | 93 to 157 | 185 |
| 40 | 90 to 153 | 180 |
| 45 | 88 to 149 | 175 |
| 50 | 85 to 145 | 170 |
| 55 | 83 to 140 | 165 |
| 60 | 80 to 136 | 160 |
| 65 | 78 to 132 | 155 |
| 70 | 75 to 128 | 150 |
Before you know the answer to what is a dangerous heart rate, know that the heart rate increases during exercise. It depends on many factors like how intense the workout is and how fit you are. People that exercise regularly, may need intense workouts to get their heart rate up.
There are some heart exercises that can help your heart get strong.
While Sleeping
For most people, the sleeping heart rate will fall to the lower end of the normal resting heart rate range of 60 to 100 bpm. If you are in deep sleep, then the heart rate might fall below 60 bpm, especially in people that have a lower heart rate when awake.
In Children
In children, especially younger ones, heart rate is higher than that of adults. What is a dangerous heart rate in children then? Just like adults, factors like fever and anxiety can influence heart rates in adults.
The normal heart rates in children during sleep and when they are awake are mentioned below.
| Age | Heart rate when awake | Heart rate when asleep |
| Under 28 days | 100 to 205 | 90 to 160 |
| 1 to 12 months | 100 to 190 | 90 to 160 |
| 1 to 2 years | 98 to 140 | 80 to 120 |
| 3 to 5 years | 80 to 120 | 65 to 100 |
| 6 to 11 years | 75 to 118 | 58 to 90 |
| 12 to 15 years | 60 to 100 | 50 to 90 |
What is a Dangerous Heart Rate?
The answer to what is a dangerous heart rate for a woman or a man can vary. But a heart rate that is below or above 60 beats per minute is often considered dangerous when you are at rest.
Heart palpitations exceeding 100 beats per minute can be caused by non-dangerous conditions as well as temporary stress or running. An abnormally high or low heart rate is considered to be worrisome when it occurs for multiple hours or days.
It is considered when more dangerous if it is accompanied by other symptoms.
To know the difference between heart rate and pulse rate, give it a read.
When Heart Rate is Too High
A heart rate is considered to be too high when it is above 100 beats per minute and is called tachycardia. Now, this is not always dangerous and can occur during exercise, by stress, or when you are scared. So, the answer to what is a dangerous heart rate is not that bad, right? Sometimes an overactive thyroid can be a cause of a higher heart rate.
When Heart Rate is Too Low
A heart rate is too low when it is below 60 beats per minute for adults. A lower heart rate is not always bad in fact it can be a sign of fitness. For example, if you are an athlete, your heart rate might be closer to 40 to 50 beats per minute or even lower. Dr. Sarah Perveze who works at MD Healthcare Center says that this indicates that your heart doesn’t pump as fast to deliver oxygen to the rest of the body.
Read 7 Causes of Pain Under Left Rib Cage to explore more.
When to Contact Healthwire
If you feel like you have a heart rate that is too high or too low, and still searching for an answer to ‘what is a dangerous heart rate’ it is time to see your healthcare provider. You will most likely be recommended to get your tests done i.e ECG, which you can book using Healthwire. If you feel like there is something seriously wrong with your heart health, then book an appointment using Heathwire with the best cardiologist near you.
