Pulse rates vary significantly during sleep, pregnancy, and exercise. Learn the normal ranges for women, teens, and infants, and identify causes for low heart rates.
A rapid heart rate can be very disturbing. Some causes are harmless, while others are potentially life threatening. Certain physical maneuvers can quickly lower the heart rate, but they should only be attempted if your doctor has recommended them.
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A slow heart rate, called bradycardia, may result from various medications. Some drugs were developed specifically to slow the heart rate. But bradycardia may be an unwanted side effect of a wide range of other medications that were not developed to have any impact on the heart.
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