what should heart rate be

A normal resting heart rate for most healthy adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute, although the range for well-trained athletes can be as low as 40 beats per minute. Factors such as stress, anxiety, hormones, medication, and physical activity level can affect resting heart rate. A resting heart rate consistently above 90 beats per minute or below 60 beats per minute may warrant medical attention, especially if accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, lightheadedness, or shortness of breath. As people age, their average maximum heart rate decreases, and a commonly used formula to determine maximum heart rate is 220 minus the persons age in years. Vigorous exercise can help lower resting heart rate and increase maximum heart rate and aerobic capacity. Target heart rate during moderate intensity activities is about 50-70% of maximum heart rate, while during vigorous physical activity it’s about 70-85% of maximum.