What's a normal resting heart rate?

Answer

from Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.

A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute.

Generally, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness. For example, a well-trained athlete might have a normal resting heart rate closer to 40 beats a minute.

To measure your heart rate, simply check your pulse. Place your index and third fingers on your neck to the side of your windpipe. To check your pulse at your wrist, place two fingers between the bone and the tendon over your radial artery — which is located on the thumb side of your wrist.

When you feel your pulse, count the number of beats in 15 seconds. Multiply this number by 4 to calculate your beats per minute.

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Keep in mind that many factors can influence heart rate, including:

• Activity level
• Fitness level
• Air temperature
• Body position (standing up or lying down, for example)

What is the heart?

The heart is a hollow, cone-shaped muscle that's about the size of an adult fist and usually found to the left of our breastbone.

The heart is the most important organ in our body. It is basically a complex pump, responsible for circulating blood, oxygen and nutrients around the body.

Parts of the heart

Every heart is made up of three layers:

• an inner lining called the endocardium
• a middle layer of muscle called the myocardium
• an outer fluid-filled sac known as the pericardium.

The heart is divided into four chambers:

• the right atrium and left atrium are the upper chambers of the heart
• the right ventricle and left ventricle are the lower chambers.

A muscular wall called the septum separates the right and left sides of the heart.

Each of the chambers has valves. The valves have different names:

• the tricuspid valve is at the exit of the right atrium
• the mitral valve is for the left atrium
• the pulmonary valve is at the exit of the right ventricle
• the aortic valve is at the exit of the left ventricle.

Their purpose is to allow blood to move forwards through the heart and to prevent it flowing backwards into the previous chamber.

How does the heart work?

The heart muscle contracts in two stages to squeeze blood out of the heart. This is known as systole.

• In the first stage, the upper chambers (atria) contract at the same time, pushing blood down into the lower chambers (ventricles).
• Blood is pumped from the right atrium down into the right

How to Prevent Heart Attack  ?

4 Ways to Prevent Heart Attack - Mayo Clinic

Beating Heart  Surgery

Andrea Ybarra is among those who have received what researchers call a "beating heart' transplant, at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

(CBS/AP) A heart that can