What it means
One of the vital signsVY-tul SYNZThe basic body measurements: temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure, often with oxygen saturation and pain.Full entry , counted at a pulse point such as the wrist (radial pulse) or by listening over the heart (apical pulse), or read from a monitor. A normal adult resting heart rate is 60–100 beats per minute; infants and children have higher normal rates. A fast rate is tachycardiatak-ih-KAR-dee-uhA heart rate faster than normal; in an adult, more than 100 beats per minute.tachy- fastcardi/o heart-ia conditionFull entry and a slow rate is bradycardiabray-dee-KAR-dee-uhA heart rate slower than normal; in an adult, fewer than 60 beats per minute.brady- slowcardi/o heart-ia conditionFull entry .
For the nurse
Count for 30 seconds and double it only if the rhythm is regular; count a full minute when it is irregular or before giving heart drugs such as digoxindih-JOK-sinA drug that makes the heart beat more strongly and more slowly.Full entry . Note the rhythm and strength as well as the number.
In a chart
"HR 88 and regular, radial pulse strong bilaterally."
At a glance
| Normal range | 60–100 beats per minute (adult at rest) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviations | HR; bpm (beats per minute) |
| Spanish | frecuencia cardíaca |
| Also written | heart rates, heart-rate |
Related terms
tachycardia
A heart rate faster than normal; in an adult, more than 100 beats per minute.
blood pressure
The force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries, written as systolic over diastolic in mm Hg.
bradycardia
A heart rate slower than normal; in an adult, fewer than 60 beats per minute.
vital signs
The basic body measurements: temperature, pulse, breathing rate and blood pressure, often with oxygen saturation and pain.
arrhythmia
A heart rhythm that is not normal: too fast, too slow or irregular.