Heart rate facts for kids
Heart rate (HR) is simply how many times your heart beats in one minute. We often measure it in "beats per minute" (bpm). For most adults who don't exercise a lot, the average heart rate is around 70 bpm. But your heart rate can be different from others because of things like how fit you are, your age, and even your genetics (what you inherit from your parents).
| Age | Normal resting heart rate (beats per minute) |
|---|---|
| Newborn | 120 |
| Older Child | 90-110 |
| Adult | 50-100 60-100 |
Contents
What is Your Heart Rate?
Your heart is a powerful muscle that pumps blood all around your body. Each time it pumps, it's called a "beat." Your heart rate is just a count of these beats over one minute. It's an important sign of how well your body is working.
Why Does Heart Rate Change?
Your heart rate isn't always the same. It changes depending on what you're doing:
- When you're resting: Your heart rate is usually lower when you're calm, sitting, or sleeping. This is called your resting heart rate.
- When you're active: If you're running, playing sports, or even just walking fast, your heart needs to pump more blood to your muscles. So, your heart rate goes up!
- Emotions: Feeling excited, scared, or stressed can also make your heart beat faster.
- Fitness: People who are very fit often have a lower resting heart rate because their heart is stronger and more efficient.
- Age: As you get older, your normal heart rate ranges can change. Babies and young children usually have faster heart rates than adults.
How to Measure Your Heart Rate
It's easy to check your own heart rate! You can find your pulse in a few places:
- Wrist: Gently place two fingers (not your thumb) on the inside of your wrist, below the base of your thumb. You should feel a slight throbbing.
- Neck: Place two fingers on either side of your windpipe, just under your chin.
Once you find your pulse, count the number of beats you feel in 15 seconds. Then, multiply that number by four to get your heart rate per minute.
You can also use special devices:
These devices, like smartwatches or chest straps, can measure your heart rate automatically, especially when you're exercising.
Healthy Heart Rates
What's considered a "normal" heart rate can vary a lot.
- For kids your age (12-15), a resting heart rate might be anywhere from 60 to 100 beats per minute.
- Athletes often have lower resting heart rates, sometimes even below 60 bpm, because their hearts are very strong.
- When you exercise, your heart rate should go up. There are formulas to estimate your maximum heart rate, which is the highest your heart should beat during intense exercise.
If you're ever worried about your heart rate, it's always a good idea to talk to a doctor.
Images for kids
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The human heart
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This chart shows how heart rate (top line) changes with breathing (bottom line). Notice how heart rate goes up when you breathe in and goes down when you breathe out.
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In obstetrics, a baby's heart rate can be checked using ultrasound, like this image of an embryo (at the bottom left) at 6 weeks with a heart rate of about 90 beats per minute.
See also
In Spanish: Frecuencia cardíaca para niños
