What is resting heart rate? What does a resting heart rate mean?

Resting heart rate (RHR) refers to your heart rate when you are completely relaxed and not doing any physical activity, typically measured in beats per minute (bpm). Resting heart rate is an important indicator for assessing cardiovascular health and adaptability.

Resting heart rate reflects the efficiency of your heart's work at minimal load. Lower resting heart rate is generally considered to be an indicator of better cardiovascular health and higher adaptability, indicating that the heart can supply the body with enough blood at a lower heart rate. People who exercise regularly often have a lower resting heart rate because their heart muscles are stronger and can pump more blood with each beat.

Resting heart rate is widely used in medical and physiological research and is considered an important indicator for assessing an individual's cardiovascular health and heart rate variability. Resting heart rate levels are influenced by many factors, including age, gender, level of physical activity, medication use, psychological stress, disease status, and more.

In general, the normal resting heart rate range for adults is 60 to 100 bpm, but this range varies depending on individual differences. Athletes and regular exercisers may have a lower resting heart rate, sometimes even below 60 bpm. Higher resting heart rates may be related to lifestyle, age, stress, disease, and other factors.

It is important to note that resting heart rate measured in a single instance may be affected by many factors and should not be used as the sole indicator of health status. Monitoring the long-term trend of resting heart rate is more meaningful than focusing on a single measurement. Consult a professional doctor before making any lifestyle changes. If your resting heart rate remains abnormal, it is recommended to seek advice from medical professionals.