Resting Heart Rate: A Simple Number With Big Health Clues
Your resting heart rate, measured while you’re awake and still, can signal overall health. Normal is 60–100 bpm, though very fit people may be lower; a rate above 100 bpm regularly can hint at anemia, infection or thyroid problems. Many factors influence it—age, sleep, smoking, cholesterol, diabetes, stress, hormones, medications—so watch patterns rather than a single number. If you routinely exceed 100, talk with a clinician, especially if you have fainting, dizziness, or shortness of breath. To measure it, check first thing in the morning for 15 seconds and multiply by four; wearables can help track it but aren’t always precise. Lower resting rate through sustained vigorous exercise, stress reduction, adequate sleep, and avoiding dehydration and excess substances; some meds and conditions can also lower it. Remember, it’s a marker, not a definitive health verdict.
