Measuring your heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) can tell you about different aspects of your circulatory system.
Getting them checked regularly is the best way to make sure that your heart and blood vessels are in good condition. It may alert you to any early signs of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
What is heart rate?
Your HR is a measure of how many times your heart is beating per minute. It is measured in beats per minute (bpm).
It can be too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia).
When a doctor measures your HR, they usually measure your resting heart rate (RHR). This is how many times your heart beats in one minute when you are in a state of relaxation and not doing any physical activity.
The typical RHR for most adults falls between 60–100 bpm.
Sometimes, a doctor might measure the time it takes for your heart to return to its normal resting rate after you have done some physical activity. This is an indicator of how fit you, and your cardiovascular system, are.
Another important HR measurement is your ‘Heart Rate Variability.’ When your heart is healthy, it will make tiny adjustments to the timing of each beat. If your HR shows little variation between beats, it is a sign that it is not responsive to the needs of your body and may suggest that your heart is not in good health.
What is blood pressure?
Your BP is a measure of how much pressure is exerted on the walls of your blood vessels as your heart pumps blood around your body.
Your BP can be too high (hypertension) or too low (hypotension).
Doctors measure blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). There are two measures doctors use to assess your BP.
Systolic BP (SBP) is the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats. This is the first or top number in a reading.
Diastolic BP (DBP) is the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. This is the second or bottom number in a reading.
According to Harvard Medical School, your SBP and DBP are important when assessing your heart health.
You are at more risk of heart disease and stroke if your SBP, rather than DBP, is too high.
Blood pressure categories in adults
This table shows the reading categories for adults.
| SBP | DBP | |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Below 120 mmHg | Below 80 mmHg |
| Elevated | 120–129 mmHg | Below 80 mmHg |
| Hypotension | Below 90 mmHg | Below 60 mmHg |
| Hypertension: Stage 1 | 130–139 mmHg | 80–89 mmHg |
| Hypertension: Stage 2 | Equal to or above 140 mmHg | Equal to or above 90 mmHg |
Differences and similarities between heart rate and blood pressure
The table below shows some of the differences between HR and BP.
| Heart rate only | Blood pressure only | Both HR and BP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measurement | Measured in beats per minute (bpm). | Measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) | N/A |
| Equipment | Many fitness trackers will monitor your HR, or you can time it with a watch with some practice. | You need specialist equipment (a blood pressure monitor) to measure it at home. The American Heart Association provides a helpful guide on how to measure your BP here. | You can monitor both your HR and BP yourself at home. |
| Health | Relates to how hard your heart is working. | This relates to the pressure your heart and arteries are working under. | If your HR or BP is too high or too low, it can be a sign of — or lead to — CVD or stroke. |
How to take your blood pressure at home
When taking your blood pressure, you should follow these steps:
- Avoid caffeine, exercise, and smoking for at least 30 minutes before taking a measurement.
- Ensure your bladder is empty.
- Relax and sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and your back supported for around 5 minutes.
- You should not speak with anyone or have anyone speak with you during the rest period or while you are taking a reading.
- Remove all clothing from the area you are going to place the cuff.
Does high blood pressure cause a higher heart rate?
According to a 2020 review of studies, your risk of hypertension significantly increases as your RHR gets faster.
If you have hypertension, your heart has to work harder to pump blood around your body. This may increase the number of times your heart beats per minute.
If you have a chronically elevated RHR, this may be a sign that you have hypertension. This is especially true if your RHR is consistently above 80 bpm. Many other causes of high RHR are unrelated to blood pressure, so a doctor or healthcare professional should evaluate this further and eliminate elevations due to arrhythmia, dehydration, illness, pain, stress or anxiety, or thyroid disease.
Are high blood pressure and low heart rate concerning?
Though it is unusual to have hypertension and a low HR, it can happen, and a doctor should check it. The most likely reasons that this might happen are:
Medication
Some medications that doctors prescribe for hypertension or anxiety can also lower your HR.
Examples of medications that lower HR are beta blockers, non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, and ivabradine.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
