Heart rate refers to the number of times your heart beats per minute and is automatically regulated by your body based on your activities and current condition. When you exercise, feel anxious, or are excited, your heart rate increases. Conversely, when your body is resting and relaxed, your heart rate slows down. Since each age group has a different normal heart rate range, understanding the normal heart rate by age is essential for monitoring heart health and recognizing early signs of potential problems.
If you experience an irregular heartbeat, a heart rate that is too fast, or too slow, it is strongly recommended to consult a cardiologist. At Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, you can seek medical care from dr. Sebastian Andy Manurung, Sp.JP, Subsp. Ar(K), FIHA, a cardiologist and arrhythmia consultant with extensive experience in treating various heart rhythm disorders. He specializes in heart ablation procedures as well as pacemaker implantation to help restore a normal and optimal heart rhythm.
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Understanding Normal Heart Rate by Age
A normal resting heart rate for adults generally ranges from 60–100 beats per minute (bpm) when sitting or lying down while awake. Athletes may have a lower resting heart rate, typically around 40–50 bpm. Meanwhile, infants and children naturally have higher resting heart rates than adults.
Below is the normal heart rate range by age that you should be aware of:
- Birth–4 weeks (newborn): 100–205 bpm
- 4 weeks–1 year (infant): 100–180 bpm
- 1–3 years (toddler): 98–140 bpm
- 3–5 years (preschool age): 80–120 bpm
- 5–12 years (school age): 75–118 bpm
- 13–17 years (adolescent): 60–100 bpm
- 18 years and above (adult): 60–100 bpm
What Factors Affect Heart Rate?
Several factors can influence how fast your heart beats, especially at rest, including:
- Chronic conditions: Certain long-term medical conditions can affect heart rate. For example, an overactive thyroid can cause the heart rate to exceed 100 bpm.
- Emotional and mental health: Stress, anxiety, or tension can increase heart rate. In contrast, a calm and relaxed state may lower it.
- Fitness level: Athletes typically have lower resting heart rates, sometimes in the 40s. Limited physical activity may result in a heart rate closer to the upper normal range.
- Medications: Some medications can raise or lower heart rate. Always consult a healthcare provider regarding the effects of medications you are taking.
- Pregnancy: Resting heart rate tends to be higher during pregnancy, and increases during exercise may feel more pronounced than before pregnancy.
- Sleep quality: Poor sleep can raise heart rate, while adequate rest helps lower it.
- Substances: Alcohol, caffeine, and smoking can all increase heart rate.
- Body weight: A body mass index (BMI) above 25 (overweight or obesity) may be associated with a higher resting heart rate.
In some cases, an unusually fast or slow heart rate is caused by a heart-related condition itself. Arrhythmia occurs when abnormal electrical activity in the heart causes it to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Certain types of arrhythmias require medical treatment to prevent serious complications.
How to Measure Your Heart Rate
You can measure your heart rate by checking your pulse to determine how fast your heart is beating. This can be done manually or using a monitoring device. Common methods include:
- Manual pulse check: Place two to three fingers on your wrist or neck and press gently until you feel a pulse. Count the beats for 60 seconds. Alternatively, count for 30 seconds and multiply by two to obtain beats per minute (bpm).
- Using a heart rate monitor: These devices measure heart rate through sensors, either via a chest strap or sensors on the wrist or other parts of the body.
For accurate heart rate assessment, you may visit a hospital for a comprehensive examination.
Arrhythmia Specialist Cardiologist at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
A heart rate that falls outside the normal range—whether too fast, too slow, or irregular—is known as arrhythmia. This condition results from disruptions in the heart’s electrical system, causing abnormal heart rhythms. Arrhythmia can lead to symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, or fainting, and in certain cases may lead to serious complications if left untreated.
Arrhythmia management requires thorough evaluation and expertise from an experienced cardiologist. At Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, heart rhythm disorders are treated by dr. Sebastian Andy Manurung, Sp.JP, Subsp. Ar(K), FIHA, a cardiologist and arrhythmia consultant. He completed his medical education at Padjadjaran University, followed by specialist training in Cardiology and Vascular Medicine at the University of Indonesia (FKUI) and National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita.
To further enhance his expertise, dr. Sebastian pursued advanced training as an Arrhythmia Consultant at the National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita and the Indonesian College of Cardiology. With this background, he is highly skilled in managing complex heart rhythm disorders through advanced procedures, including 2D and 3D heart ablation, Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) as the latest ablation technique, and pacemaker implantation to restore normal heart rhythm.
Doctor Schedule
dr. Sebastian Andy Manurung, Sp.JP, Subsp. Ar(K), FIHA is available at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri on:
- Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM WIB
- Thursday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM WIB
- Saturday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM WIB
For a more convenient visit, use the WhatsApp Chat, Book Appointment feature, or the Care Dokter app, available on Google Play and the App Store, to schedule appointments, check queue numbers, and access complete information.
