Normal pulse rates

The pulse rate depends strongly on age and fitness. Many things can cause a short-term rise in pulse rate for example physical exertion or excitement. To get comparable values for normal pulse rates, you should always measure the resting pulse.

The normal pulse rates by age:

Age	Beats per minute
0 years	140
2 years	120
4 years	100
10 years	90
14 years	85
Adults	60 - 80
Seniors	80 - 85

Notes:

Women usually have slightly higher values than men.
Athletes typically have noticeably lower pulse rates.
Some medications can slow down or speed up the pulse. For example, beta-blockers often used for high blood pressure can cause a significant slowing.
Substances like nicotine, alcohol and caffeine can temporarily raise the pulse rate.
During infections the pulse is often somewhat elevated.

For information about how pulse and blood pressure are related, see "Blood pressure and pulse".

Sources:

This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day. Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 11/2024).

Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.

Normal pulse rates

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