What is exactly the resting heart rate?

[trus75]

Over the past few months I've been trying to keep a record of my resting HR, but I still get confused by the definition. People say I should measure the HR as soon as I wake up in the morning, while still laying. The problem is that I usually don't sleep very well, I wake up 5-6 times per night, and in the morning I wake up not very relaxed.

- When I wake up, I'm usually not sleepy at all. If I take my HR after 30 seconds, it's around 72-74 or even little more.
- But If I stay on my bed, laying for 5 minutes or so, I get a little sleepy again and it goes to 65-67.  
- If I sleep very well and I wake up still sleepy, the HR is on 65's immediately .  
- At night, before sleeping, when I'm very relaxed, my HR goes to 58-59 or even lower.

So, what of these values would you consider the resting heart rate? There's a 15 bpm interval between the values, so which one should I consider?

Thanks

[trus75]

Yes, I understand what you mean and I think you're right. Better just forget about it and measure once in a while to see if it's not too elevated, just like the blood pressure.

[itdood]

I'm not trying to be mean, but this sort of hyper monitoring and analysis of heart rate will not be a fruitful endeavor. I say this from experience, don't do it.  As you are seeing, it will be all over the place, and that's normal.  There are studies on the decrease from exercise, and it varies widely by age, average is about -5 bpm +/- 5 beats.  Measuring this isn't a helpful performance indicator.

[trus75]

Hello Achillea, thanks for your reply. I know they're within the acceptable norms, but I'm just starting a new exercise program and I'd like to see the effects of exercise on resting heart rate over the time, that's why I asked ;)

[achillea]

All the rates you have listed for yourself are within acceptable norms, and perfectly good, healthy resting rates.

I see no need for you to be concerned or to continue monitoring yourself.

[itdood]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with that and cannot help.

[trus75]

Hello, thanks for your reply. Yes I understand the definition, but when you check those charts for good resting rates, they all say you should measure it in the morning with an empty stomach and after sleeping well. I just don't understand what they call "sleeping well".   In my case, if I am sitting, the resting rate can be something between 58  (at night, when sleepy) and 90 (after meals).  When I wake up in the morning, I can have HR of 65 or 75+, depending on day, so I really don't know how to read these numbers and compare to the ideal values.

[itdood]

Resting heart rate is your rate while not exerting yourself.  If you are sitting down, whatever the situation is, that is your current resting rate.  Yes, it's going to vary all over the place.  It's will vary even with breathing.