How fast is a heart beat?

The normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm). However, heart rate can vary depending on several factors, including age, physical fitness, activity level, and emotional state.

For example, children typically have higher heart rates than adults, with the average heart rate for newborns being around 130 bpm and decreasing to around 85 bpm by age 10.

Additionally, athletes and individuals who regularly engage in physical activity usually have lower resting heart rates, sometimes as low as 40 bpm for well-conditioned athletes.

During periods of increased activity or stress, the heart rate can temporarily increase significantly beyond the resting rate. For instance, during exercise, the heart rate can elevate to 150–200 bpm or even higher in some individuals.

Emotional states such as anxiety or excitement can also momentarily increase heart rate without any physical exertion.

Therefore, while the typical resting heart rate for adults generally falls within the range of 60 to 100 bpm, individual variations and fluctuations throughout the day are also part of normal physiological responses.