Average Resting Heart Rate For Women

The average resting heart rate for women is an indicator of a woman's health and heart status. Read on to know the normal pulse rate for women according to their age, and what factors influence these values...
The human heart is a unique organ for many reasons. This is the organ that ceaselessly works throughout our life and ensures that each and every cell in our body gets the required amount of blood and oxygen. It is little wonder then that heart health is often said to be a direct indicator of overall health. The average resting heart rate for women is thus, something that we must be knowledgeable about, because it will help to know how efficiently the heart is working. However, before we go onto discuss the normal resting heart rate for women, let us see what is heart rate and how to calculate it.

How to Calculate Normal Heart Rate for Women

The heart rate is basically the number of times the heart contracts in a minute to push out blood into the rest of the body. The resting heart rate, as the name implies, means the number of times the heart contracts when the person is in a resting or a relaxed state. You don't really need to have a resting heart rate calculator to find out your resting heart rate. You can measure your resting heart rate after you lie down for at least fifteen minutes. Then, while you are still in the supine position, or in sitting position, you can time your heart beats by looking at your watch while checking either your radial pulse (the pulse on the inner side of the wrist) or your carotid pulse (the pulse in the neck). Now, let us see what is a healthy heart rate for women.

What is a Good Heart Rate for Women?

It is difficult to pin point and give an absolute value regarding the average heart rate for women. This is because the resting heart rate depends on many factors like age, fitness level, body type, environmental factors, etc. However, a good resting heart rate can be said to be anywhere around 55 to 65. The normal resting heart rate is said to be around 72 beats per minute. However, it is generally said that lower the heart rate, healthier is the heart rate. Don't believe me? Well, did you know that the resting heart rate for athletes is said to hover around 50 or lesser. This is attained by their rigorous fitness and exercise regime. The reason why a low resting heart rate is said to be healthy is that usually, when a person has a lower heart rate, then the heart is actually managing to pump out more blood in lesser number of contractions. This is translated as increased efficiency of the heart, which is a factor that is favorable when it comes to heart health. Given below is a resting heart rate chart that will tell you more about what constitutes a good resting heart rate for women, according to their age.

Normal Resting Pulse Rate For Women by Age
Age RHR for Athletes Excellent Good Above Average Average Below Average Poor
18-25 54-60 61-65 66-69 70-73 74-78 79-84 85+
26-35 54-59 60-64 65-68 69-72 73-76 77-82 83+
36-45 54-59 60-64 65-69 70-73 74-78 79-84 85+
46-55 54-60 61-65 66-69 70-73 74-77 78-83 84+
56-65 54-59 60-64 65-68 69-73 74-77 78-83 84+
65+ 54-59 60-64 65-68 69-72 73-76 77-84 84+

This is just one of the many indicators of the overall fitness level of a woman, although it is a reliable and worthwhile tool that will help you assess your heart health. To attain a healthy resting heart rate range, you need to strive towards very good fitness levels with the help of a good and healthy diet and regular exercise regime.
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Published: 12/17/2010
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