The role of average heart rate

Heart rate refers to the number of heartbeats when a normal person is in a relatively quiet state. For most people, the normal heart rate range is 600-100 beats/minute. Of course, due to different physical conditions, ages and occupations of each person, the heart rate may also show some changes beyond the normal range. In many cases, such changes are normal and do not require special treatment, let alone excessive tension.

Heart rate can be used as a measure of running intensity

When we face external pressure or increase the intensity of exercise, the body needs to obtain more oxygen and the blood needs to be transported faster, so the heart rate has to speed up.

Exercise physiologist Jason R. Karp also stated in his article "Heart Rate Training to Improve Running Performance" that the contraction or beating of the heart is not only the simplest, but also the best way to illustrate the intensity of running.

Your heart rate during a run can predictably rise and fall, so you can use it to measure a running intensity scale of varying intensities.

The relationship between heart rate changes and heart disease

1. Tachycardia

When an adult's heart rate exceeds 100 beats/minute (generally not more than 160 beats/minute) at rest, it is called sinus tachycardia, which is common in people who are excited, agitated, smoke, drink alcohol, drink strong tea or coffee, or in pathological conditions such as infection, fever, shock, anemia, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, heart failure, or after the use of drugs such as atropine, epinephrine, ephedrine, etc.

2. Bradycardia

When an adult's heart rate is lower than 60 beats/minute (generally above 45 beats/minute) at rest, it is called sinus bradycardia, which can be seen in healthy people and athletes who engage in heavy physical labor for a long time; or in hypothyroidism, increased intracranial pressure, obstructive jaundice, and overdose of digitalis, quinidine or propranolol. If the heart rate is lower than 40 beats/minute, sick sinus syndrome, atrioventricular block, etc. should be considered. If the pulse is unequal and irregular and the pulse rate is less than the heart rate, atrial fibrillation should be considered.

3. Correctly view sinus bradycardia

Many people experience sinus bradycardia with irregular heartbeats, which is normal for most people and there is no need to worry too much. Sinus bradycardia refers to a person with a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute. Whether this symptom will occur depends on the frequency of the bradycardia and the cause of the bradycardia. When in a resting state, an adult's heart rate will generally not show obvious symptoms if it is between 50 and 60 beats per minute. Especially some well-trained athletes and people who engage in physical labor for a long time will not show obvious symptoms even if their heart rate is around 40 beats/minute in a quiet state. However, if the average person's heart rate is between 40 and 50 beats per minute, they will experience symptoms such as chest tightness, fatigue, and dizziness. If the heart rate drops to 35 to 40 beats per minute, hemodynamic changes will occur, affecting the blood supply to the heart and brain, resulting in chest tightness, dizziness, syncope, and even sudden death.