42 bpm resting pulse

42 bpm
Well below usual

Well below usual. A resting heart rate of 42 bpm is far below the usual range for adults ages 20 to 39.

That's lower than 99 out of 100 adults ages 20 to 39.

Compare with
42 bpm
406080100120
BelowNormal rangeAbove

When a slow heart rate needs attention

  • See a doctor soon if a heart rate under 60 comes with dizziness, unusual tiredness or getting out of breath easily.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency number if you faint or have chest pain.
  • Tell your doctor if you take heart or blood pressure medicines. Some of them slow your heart rate.

Source: American Heart Association, Bradycardia 3

Middle 90% (bpm)
54–92
Median (bpm)
71
One reading at rest isn't a diagnosis. Fitness, sleep and some medicines can change your heart rate. Sources: national CDC survey1, American Heart Association2

When a slow heart rate needs attention

  • See a doctor soon if a heart rate under 60 comes with dizziness, unusual tiredness or getting out of breath easily.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency number if you faint or have chest pain.
  • Tell your doctor if you take heart or blood pressure medicines. Some of them slow your heart rate.

Source: American Heart Association, Bradycardia 3

When to see a doctor

Few people your age have a resting heart rate this low. It can be normal for some athletes, but check again after resting for a few minutes. If it's still this low and you're not sure why, talk with your doctor soon.

Call 911 or your local emergency number right away if your heart rate is suddenly very high or very low and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting.

Check another heart rate

Is 42 bpm normal at every age?

Children's hearts beat faster, so the same heart rate can mean different things at different ages.

Age group42 bpm isPercentileMiddle 90%
20 to 39 yearsWell below usualBelow the 1st percentileBelow the 1st percentile54–92
12 to 15 yearsWell below usualBelow the 1st percentileBelow the 1st percentile58–98
16 to 19 yearsWell below usualBelow the 1st percentileBelow the 1st percentile54–95
40 to 59 yearsWell below usualBelow the 1st percentileBelow the 1st percentile54–91
60 to 79 yearsWell below usualBelow the 1st percentileBelow the 1st percentile54–91
80 and olderWell below usualBelow the 1st percentileBelow the 1st percentile54–93
Your age group is listed first. Percentiles come from a national CDC health survey from 1999–20081. For ages 12 and older, the normal range is 60 to 100 bpm, from the American Heart Association2. For younger children, typical means between the 5th and 95th percentiles. Well below or well above usual means lower or higher than 99 out of 100 people the same age.

Looking for one age? Resting heart rate at age 35 Resting heart rate at age 70 All ages

What 42 bpm means for you

42 bpm is 29 bpm below the 71 bpm median for adults ages 20 to 39.

Why it changes. Your resting heart rate goes down with regular aerobic exercise. It goes up with stress, fever, dehydration, caffeine, nicotine and some medicines. A reading taken right after climbing stairs or drinking coffee can be 10 to 20 bpm higher than your true resting heart rate.

Look for trends, not one number. If your watch or fitness tracker shows a change from your usual resting heart rate that lasts for days, make a note of it. Mention it at your next checkup.

A low heart rate is common in fit people. Trained athletes often have a resting heart rate of 40 to 60 bpm. A slow heart rate without symptoms usually isn't a concern. But a new slow heart rate with dizziness or tiredness should be checked.

How to take your resting heart rate

  1. Sit quietly for 5 minutes. Skip caffeine and exercise for an hour before.
  2. Place two fingertips on the thumb side of your inner wrist.
  3. Count the beats for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.
  4. Repeat on 2 or 3 mornings and use the average.
  5. At 42 bpm, you'd count about 21 beats in 30 seconds.

Nearby heart rates

40 bpm41 bpm42 bpm43 bpm44 bpm45 bpm46 bpm47 bpm48 bpm

See all resting heart rates from 40 to 200 bpm

Common questions

Short answers about how these calculators work.

42 bpm is well below usual for adults ages 60 to 79. It's lower than 99 out of 100 people in this age group.

No. A lower resting heart rate often comes with regular aerobic exercise. But a very low reading can also come from a medicine or a heart rhythm problem. How you feel, and whether the number is new for you, matters more than the number alone.

A watch can show you a trend. A true resting heart rate is counted at the wrist after you sit quietly for 5 minutes. Use a watch reading only if it was taken while you were resting, not walking.

For anyone 12 and older, a resting heart rate above 100 bpm is above the normal adult range. A reading higher than 99 out of 100 people your age is well above usual. Fever, dehydration, caffeine and some medicines can raise it.

Sources

Where these numbers come from

  1. Resting pulse rate reference data for children, adolescents, and adults: United States, 1999–2008 (opens in a new tab) - National Center for Health Statistics, CDC, 2011Typical resting heart rates by age and sex
  2. All about heart rate (opens in a new tab) - American Heart AssociationNormal resting heart rate range for adults
  3. Bradycardia: slow heart rate (opens in a new tab) - American Heart AssociationWhen a slow heart rate needs medical care
  4. Target heart rates chart (opens in a new tab) - American Heart AssociationHow to take your pulse
  5. Pulse (opens in a new tab) - MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of MedicineNormal heart rate ranges by age
Medical disclaimer Healthly is for general information only. It isn't medical advice and can't diagnose or treat any condition. Talk with your doctor about your own numbers. If you think you're having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. How we get our numbers

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