Heart Rate vs. Pulse Rate: Understanding the Key Differences

The number of times the heart beats in 1 minute is called heart rate. Whatever you do or whatever happens around you, the body controls the heartbeat accordingly. So when you are active or scared, your heart beats faster and when you are at rest, the heart beats slower. Heart rate is an indication of overall physical health. When the heart rate is too fast or too slow, it can be a sign of heart or other health problems. Doctors can also diagnose the disease by listening to the heartbeat.

(Read more - Acupressure Points for Heart)

Pulse rate is called a measurement of heart rate. Through this, it is found out how many times the heart is beating per minute. As the heart pushes blood through the arteries, the arteries expand and contract with the flow of blood. Checking the pulse does not only mean measuring the heart rate, but it can also give the following indications -

• Heart beat
• Pulse strength

The normal pulse of healthy adults is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Pulse rate can fluctuate with exercise, illness, injury and emotions. In general, women 12 years of age and older have a faster heart rate than men. Athletes, such as runners, who do a lot of cardiovascular conditioning, may have a heart rate closer to 40 beats per minute, which is completely normal.

(Read more - Pulse oximeter)

The heart rate per minute should be between 60 and 100. At the same time, the heart rate may increase for some time after exercise. In such a situation, an increased heart rate is also considered normal. If the heart rate is more than 100 during rest, then do not ignore this condition at all, as it may be a sign of a heart disease. Also, a slight technical difference is found between the pulse rate and the heart rate.