Heart Rate: Track, Understand, and Manage Your Pulse

Your heart rate is an easy vital sign to check, and it tells you a lot. Most adults have a resting heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm). If your pulse stays regularly above or below that range, it’s worth paying attention.

Measure your pulse the simple way: find the radial pulse at your wrist or the carotid at your neck, count beats for 15 seconds, then multiply by four. Do this after five minutes of sitting quietly, and repeat in the morning for a baseline. Wearable trackers help spot trends, but use them for patterns, not one-off readings.

When to worry

Some numbers need action. A resting rate consistently above 100 bpm (tachycardia) or below 50 bpm (bradycardia) should be checked by a clinician, especially if you have symptoms. Call for urgent care if you have chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or sudden weakness or confusion.

Isolated spikes after exercise, caffeine, or stress are normal. But frequent palpitations, dizziness, or ongoing high readings mean it’s time to talk to your doctor. They’ll check for causes like thyroid problems, dehydration, infection, or heart rhythm issues.

Medications and conditions that change heart rate

Some drugs lower your heart rate. Beta blockers (like metoprolol) and some calcium channel blockers slow the pulse. Other medicines and supplements can raise it — think decongestants, stimulants, or high-dose thyroid hormone. Even common things like fever, anemia, and anxiety affect rate.

If your meds are changing your pulse, don’t stop them on your own. Bring a record of your readings to the clinic. Your provider may adjust doses, switch drugs, or order tests like an ECG or bloodwork to find the cause.

Lifestyle moves that help: regular aerobic exercise gradually brings down resting heart rate. Losing extra weight, cutting back on caffeine and nicotine, improving sleep, and treating sleep apnea can all help. For low heart rate that causes symptoms, options range from changing meds to implanting a pacemaker.

Use tracking smartly. Note time of day, activity, and symptoms with each reading. Trend charts are far more useful for clinicians than single numbers. If a wearable shows sudden rapid or irregular rhythms, capture a screenshot or export the data before your appointment.

On this site you’ll find practical articles about blood pressure medicines, beta blocker alternatives, and how different drugs affect heart rhythm. Read those posts if you want to understand treatment choices or what to ask your doctor.

Bottom line: measure calmly, watch for patterns, act on symptoms, and discuss persistent changes with your healthcare provider. Small daily habits and clear tracking give you control over your pulse and your heart health.