HESI Cardiology Practice Exam

The normal range for resting heart rate in adults is 60 to 100 beats per minute. This range reflects the average heartbeat that is considered typical for healthy adults in a resting state. A heart rate within this range indicates that the cardiovascular system is functioning efficiently at rest without undue stress.

Heart rates below 60 beats per minute could indicate bradycardia, which might require further investigation if it's symptomatic or occurs in an unhealthy individual. On the other hand, rates exceeding 100 beats per minute when at rest could signify tachycardia, potentially indicating stress, dehydration, or other underlying health issues.

Thus, a resting heart rate falling between 60 and 100 beats per minute is widely accepted in clinical practice as a standard measure of healthy cardiac function in adults.