1. What is Heart Rate?

Heart rate is the number of heartbeats per minute (bpm). It's a vital sign that indicates cardiovascular health and fitness level. Normal resting heart rate ranges from 60-100 bpm for adults.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the heart rate formula:

Where:

• \( beats \) — Number of heartbeats counted
• \( time \) — Time period in minutes during which beats were counted
• 60 — Conversion factor to get beats per minute

Explanation: The formula converts your counted beats over any time period to the standard beats-per-minute measurement.

3. Importance of Heart Rate Measurement

Details: Monitoring heart rate helps assess cardiovascular health, exercise intensity, and can detect potential health issues like arrhythmias or tachycardia.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Count your pulse for 15-60 seconds (longer for more accuracy) and enter the number of beats and time period. For irregular rhythms, count for a full minute.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a normal resting heart rate?
A: For adults, 60-100 bpm. Athletes may have 40-60 bpm. Children have higher normal ranges.

Q2: How do I measure my heart rate manually?
A: Place two fingers on your wrist or neck, count beats for 30 seconds, and multiply by 2.

Q3: When is the best time to measure resting heart rate?
A: First thing in the morning, before getting out of bed, for most accurate resting measurement.

Q4: What factors affect heart rate?
A: Activity level, emotions, medications, caffeine, body position, and fitness level all influence heart rate.

Q5: When should I worry about my heart rate?
A: Consult a doctor if resting HR is consistently above 100 (tachycardia) or below 60 (bradycardia) with symptoms like dizziness.