Resting Heart Rate for Pregnant Women

The heart is the most important organ of the human body, and it beats continuously. When the heart beats, it actually pumps out blood for the use of other organs in the body. The heart rate is the number of times the heart beats in one minute. A normal heart rate is essential for the well-being of the body, and the average normal heart rate for men and women is 72 bpm (beats per minute). What is the difference between heart rate and resting heart rate? Basically, heart rate is a more generalized term which is used when the heart rate is calculated at any time without considering factors like stress and level of physical activity. It is calculated when the body is at complete rest, which means without any physical and emotional stress. It is used to calculate the fitness level of the body. A person's heart rate varies throughout the day, and various factors like age, gender, body temperature, level of physical activity and genetics can influence the heart rate. Generally, the resting heart rate is lower than the normal heart rate, as the body is not under any kind of tension.

Resting Heart Rate

As seen earlier, the resting heart rate is the heart rate which is calculated when the body is at complete rest. It is generally abbreviated as RHR. The best time to measure the same is morning hours, as the body is not tired and is also not that stressed. But don't be in a hurry to calculate it after you wake up. Relax on your bed for about 15 minutes and then do the calculation. You can also measure the same at some other time of the day, but it would be a little higher than your actual RHR due to variety of reasons like digestion, stress level, and other changes in the body. Now let's take a look at the method of calculation. How is the heart rate calculated? You can feel the heart beats at any point of the body where the artery is close to the skin surface. But it is best to measure the heart rate at points on your wrist or neck. You can use the middle or index finger to measure the heart rate. Count the pulse for 10 seconds and then multiply the obtained value by 6, the result so obtained is your RHR. Physicians generally use electrocardiogram (ECG) or heart rate monitor to measure the heart rate, as this method gives accurate results.

RHR during Pregnancy

Normally, women tend to have a higher heart rate than men. Men are physically more active and fit, and thus they have a lower heart rate. Various factors affect the heart rate of women, the important ones being weight and stress levels. With the increase in weight, the heart rate also increases, as the heart has to work hard to supply blood to distant organs of the body. The normal rate for women is between 60 - 80 bpm. If a woman is physically very active and has an ideal weight, she might have a heart rate lower than 70 bpm, and on the contrary, an overweight woman with zero level of exercise can have a heart rate greater than 80 bpm. With good fitness levels, the cardio-vascular strength increases, which means a lower heart rate. This is the reason why many good athletes have a below-average heart rate. There are a number of body changes in a woman during pregnancy, which can influence the heart rate

• As menstruation stops, the volume of blood in the body increases by about 50 percent as compared to the normal value.
• The cardiac output, which is the measure of amount of blood pumped out by the heart, also increases. Thus, it is very normal for the heart rate to increase.

Pregnancy causes lots of changes in a woman's body, and one of the changes is an increased heart rate. During pregnancy, there is a distinctive increase in the heart rate, and the RHR during pregnancy is about 10 to 20 beats higher than normal. With an increase in weight during pregnancy, the heart has to pump out more blood to supply to the fetus. It's seen that during pregnancy, the amount of blood pumped out by the heart increases by about 50%. Special care should be taken to ensure that the heart rate does not exceed too much beyond the normal level. The heart rate returns to its normal value after the delivery.

RHR Chart for Women

The chart given below should be used just for reference. For pregnant women, the RHR may be 10 - 20 beats above the normal desired value, as per their age. The heart rate also varies according to the size of the fetus. For women athletes, the heart rate is generally below the normal value, and that is a good sign

RHR
Age	Desired Heart Rate
18-25	61-78 bpm
26-35	60-76 bpm
36-45	60-78 bpm
46-55	61-77 bpm
56+	60-76 bpm

If you have a high resting heart rate, you need to make certain changes in the diet plan. Try including foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. It's always better to consult the doctor for medications. Moderate exercise can also be done under the supervision of a doctor. Bad habits like smoking and drinking should be avoided. I hope this article has been useful in understanding the basics of RHR during pregnancy.