Final answer:
Heart rate varies with age: newborns often have a HR of around 120 bpm, decreasing until young adulthood and then increasing slightly with age. An adult's normal resting HR ranges from 60-100 bpm, with bradycardia below 60 bpm and tachycardia above 100 bpm. Maximum HR typically ranges from 200-220 bpm but decreases with age.
Step-by-step explanation:
Typical Heart Rates by Age Group
Heart rates (HRs) vary significantly throughout the different stages of life due to factors like exercise, fitness levels, and age. Starting with newborns (neonates), a typical resting HR can be around 120 beats per minute (bpm). As children grow, their resting HR gradually decreases. For an infant, a common HR is around 130 ± 5 bpm and then it begins to slow down in toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. By the time one reaches adolescence, the resting HR stabilizes to a rate closer to that of adults, which is considered normal at 60-100 bpm.
It's important to note that maximum HRs typically range between 200-220 bpm, decreasing as individuals age. For example, a 40-year-old's maximum HR is estimated to be roughly 180 bpm, whereas a 60-year-old's would be about 160 bpm. Also, conditions such as bradycardia (resting HR below 60 bpm) and tachycardia (resting HR above 100 bpm) can indicate cardiac disorders, which necessitate further medical evaluation, especially if accompanied by symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, or chest discomfort. For athletes, a lower resting HR is common due to their higher level of fitness.