"what should be your heart rate"?

A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Typically, a lower heart rate at rest means more efficient cardiac function and better cardiac fitness. For example, a well-trained athlete may have a normal resting heart rate of 40 beats per minute. Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports the mission, not for our benefit. Advertising and Sponsorship PolicyOccuities Advertising Options To measure your heart rate, just check your pulse. Place your index finger and third fingers on the side of your windpipe on your neck. To check your pulse on your wrist, place two fingers between the bone and tendon above 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 four to calculate your heart rate per minute. Keep in mind that many factors can affect the heart rate, including: age fitness and activity level Smoker heart disease, high cholesterol or diabetes Air temperature body condition (standing or lying down, e.g. ) Emotions Body shape medications Although there is a wide range of normal, abnormally high or low heart rates may indicate an underlying problem. Consult your doctor if your resting heart rate is consistently above 100 beats a minute (tachycardia) or if you are not a trained athlete and your resting heart rate is below 60 beats a minute (bradycardia) - especially if You have other signs or symptoms, such as fainting, dizziness or shortness of breath.