Pulse Rate / Heart Beat

[luckystrike]

I'm a 27 year old male, and my pulse / heart beat is about an average of 81 bpm when resting.

 

Is this high?  I have heard that an average is 72 bpm.  I would like to know now if this level of heart beat is likely to lead to heart problems in later life.

 

Thanks!

[Loosehead]

Yes that's high average resting pulse should be 70. Generally the fitter the lower. In his hey day Seb Coe's resting pulse was under 50! You're a smoker right? that reduces the respiratoty system's efficiancy considerably and I'm guessing you're not a fitness nut!

[luckystrike]

No, not a smoker, but certainly not an exercise nut either.

 

However, I have recently became more aware of my health, and have lost half a stone through cutting down on booze and fatty / salty foods - I'm now just under 13 stone, which I suppose isn't too bad for someone who is 6 feet tall.

 

Tonight I am going for my first jog in about 5 years.

[undercovers]

in my day I had a resting heart rate of 55bpm, so would have expected old seb's to have been significantly lower, think the world record lowest is 27bpm which is quite amzing. But back to the question, yes it is a bit fast, you should get some light exercise going and slowing increase the intensity (exercise should be predominatly aerobic to begin with).

[smudge]

It is advisable to start off with power walking, then move on to jogging.

[stevie21]

If power walking makes you feel too silly, try running for a few lampposts (new scientific unit of distance!) and then walking a few.
I've injured my ankles (and calves) from jogging recently so make sure that you do a warm up before AND after any exercise like this.

[trouble16]

hey!! mine was 107 resting and im not dead yet! i think its high dont you!!!! i did get it checked but i didnt want anything done.