What is the average resting heart rate for adults?

The average resting heart rate for adults typically falls within the range of 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm), with many health professionals considering 72 bpm to be a representative measure of the average for a well-conditioned individual. A resting heart rate around this value indicates a level of cardiovascular fitness, as lower heart rates generally imply a stronger heart muscle that can pump more blood with each beat, thus requiring fewer beats per minute at rest.

Additionally, while 60 bpm is often cited as the lower end of the healthy range, it's important to recognize that individuals, particularly those who are physically fit, may experience resting heart rates lower than this, but 72 bpm serves as a solid average for the general adult population. Rates higher than this can indicate a lack of cardiovascular fitness or could be influenced by factors like stress, dehydration, or underlying health conditions.