Calculation of Heart Rate

1. Heart rate is defined as the total number of heartbeats in one minute.

2. To calculate heart rate, you must first determine the time period during which you will count the heartbeats. This may be one minute, 30 seconds, 15 seconds, 10 seconds, or even 6 seconds.

3. After selecting the time period, count the number of times the heart beats in that time period. If a 10 second time period is chosen, heartbeats should be counted for 10 seconds and the number should be recorded.

4. Determine the number of the chosen time periods in one minute. To do this, divide the total number of seconds in one minute by the number of seconds in the time period you chose. For example, if you chose a 10 second time period:

Or if you chose a 30 second time period:

5. Determine the number of beats per minute. Multiply the total number of beats counted by the number of time periods in one minute. If the 10 second time period was chosen, the number would be multiplied by six.

Heart rate = number of beats counted in time period  x number of time periods/minute

Heart rate = heart beats in 10 seconds x 6

For example:

Number of heartbeats in 10 seconds = 13

Heart rate = 13 heartbeats x 6

Heart rate = 78 beats/minute