Heart rate

Definition

Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute (bpm). It is a crucial indicator of cardiovascular health and is influenced by various factors including medication.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60-100 bpm.
2. Beta-blockers are commonly prescribed antihypertensive drugs that can lower heart rate.
3. A significantly high or low heart rate can indicate underlying cardiovascular issues such as hypertension or heart failure.
4. Calcium channel blockers help reduce heart rate by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing the workload on the heart.
5. Monitoring heart rate is essential in managing patients with angina and chronic heart failure.

Review Questions

• What is considered a normal resting heart rate range for adults?
• How do beta-blockers affect heart rate?
• Why is monitoring heart rate important in patients with angina?

Related terms

Hypertension: A condition characterized by consistently high blood pressure.

Angina: Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles.

Beta-blocker: A class of drugs that reduce blood pressure and heart rate by blocking beta receptors.