Doctors Flag 60-100 bpm Resting Heart Rate as Key Health Marker

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 10

Adults should generally have a resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute, doctors said, with readings consistently above 100—or below 60 in non-athletes—warranting medical attention.
A slower rate usually reflects a more efficient heart, while a persistently high rate can point to problems such as anemia, infection or thyroid disease; athletes may sit near 40 bpm.
Morning checks on the wrist or neck offer the clearest baseline: count beats for 15 seconds and multiply by four, while wearable trackers can help but may be less accurate.
Exercise is the most effective way to lower an elevated resting rate, with stress reduction, better sleep, healthy weight and avoiding drugs or excess alcohol also helping over time.
Doctors said the number matters most as a pattern rather than a one-off reading, especially when paired with symptoms like dizziness, fainting or shortness of breath.