Resting heart rate chart - men and women

August 25, 2025Michal Jetelina18 comments
A doctor checking an ECG.


Resting heart rate, or RHR, gives the number of heartbeats per minute. This value is measured at rest, without physical load or mental strain. In a healthy adult the RHR value lies between 60-80 beats per minute.1

As a general rule, a lower resting heart rate indicates better overall fitness (meaning that the heart is more efficient).1, 2, 3 In elite endurance athletes, such as runners or cyclists, the RHR is normally between 30-40 beats per minute.4

Resting heart rate table - men (bpm/min)

Age 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55
Athlete 40-52 44-50 47-53 49-54
Excellent 56-61 55-61 57-62 58-63
Good 62-65 62-65 63-66 64-67
Above average 66-69 66-70 67-70 68-71
Average 70-73 71-74 72-75 72-76
Below average 74-81 75-81 76-82 77-83
Poor 82+ 82+ 83+ 84+

Source: medicinenet.com

Resting heart rate table - women (bpm/min)

We have devoted a dedicated article to resting heart rate in women, where, besides the resting pulse, you will also learn about the factors that can influence RHR values.

Age 18-25 26-35 36-45 46-55
Athlete 40-48 42-46 45-49 48-54
Excellent 61-65 60-64 60-64 61-65
Good 66-69 65-68 65-69 66-69
Above average 70-73 69-72 70-73 70-73
Average 74-78 73-76 74-77 74-77
Below average 79-84 77-82 78-83 78-83
Poor 85+ 83+ 83+ 84+

Source: medicinenet.com

How to measure your own pulse

RHR can be measured during an ECG, when your blood pressure is taken at the doctor's, or you can measure it yourself at home. Sit so that both feet touch the floor, or lie on your back

  1. After 5 minutes of complete rest, find one of the carotid arteries (to the left or right of the windpipe)
  2. Place your index and middle finger on this spot; once you feel the pulse, count the number of beats over 15 seconds.
  3. Multiply this number by four and you have your RHR.1

RHR can also be measured fairly accurately with a sports watch or smartwatch. Garmin, Coros, Suunto and Polar are very accurate these days and are good enough for indicating resting heart rate. Apple watches usually reach similar values. Outside a doctor's surgery, the most accurate RHR values are clearly obtained by measuring with a chest strap or a blood pressure monitor.

Resting heart rate too high or too low?

If your resting heart rate value differs from the average of 60-80 beats per minute

Bradycardia (RHR < 60)

Bradycardia is characterised by a resting heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute. This state is usually not dangerous to health, but in people who are not physically active it can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness or dizziness. In athletes, bradycardia is a common phenomenon.4

Tachycardia (RHR > 80)

On the other hand, tachycardia is defined as a resting heart rate higher than 80 beats per minute. Tachycardia can be a health risk, because it is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease.5

If you are not an athlete, discuss deviations in either direction with a doctor. If you are an athlete who trains regularly, bradycardia will be a common phenomenon for you.

Which factors influence resting heart rate?

Several factors can influence resting heart rate:

  1. Age: according to some studies, RHR may change with age
  2. Sex: women's RHR tends to be on average 2-7 beats per minute higher than men's..
  3. Body weight: higher body weight and obesity can lead to a higher RHR.
  4. Emotions: strong feelings of stress, anxiety or even happiness can raise RHR.
  5. Body position: RHR can be 3 beats per minute higher when you are sitting than when you are lying down. RHR also tends to rise slightly when standing.
  6. Medication and infection: prescription medicines such as antidepressants and beta blockers can make RHR lower than it would be without them. Infections that cause a fever can raise your heart rate.
  7. Air temperature: RHR can rise during hot weather, but usually by no more than 10 beats per minute.
  8. Smoking and caffeine: if you are a smoker or have drunk coffee before the measurement, your heart rate may be elevated.
  9. Your resting heart rate may be high if you have hyperthyroidism, and low if you have hypothyroidism.
  10. A low haemoglobin level (anaemia) can raise your heart rate.2, 3

References:

  1. https://www.nzip.cz/rejstrikovy-pojem/5649
  2. https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_a_good_resting_heart_rate_by_age/article.htm
  3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17644-women-and-heart-rate
  4. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/bradycardia--slow-heart-rate
  5. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/about-arrhythmia/tachycardia--fast-heart-rate

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