What is a normal heartbeat per minute?

According to the Mayo Clinic, a normal adult heart rate ranges from 60 to100 beats per minute. A heart rate below 60 or above 100 beats per minute may indicate an underlying health problem and should be discussed with a doctor, especially if accompanied by dizziness or shortness of breath.

One can check the pulse, which indicates heart rate, by placing two fingers on the wrist or the side of the neck, counting the number of beats in 15 seconds and multiplying by four to determine beats per minute. The Mayo Clinic points out that many factors influence heart rate, including fitness level, medications and body size. Typically, a lower heart rate indicates better physical and cardiovascular fitness.