National Consortium for Health Science Education Practice Test

The normal range for an adult resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. This range is considered typical for healthy adults at rest and reflects the body’s ability to deliver blood efficiently throughout the circulatory system while maintaining sufficient oxygen supply to tissues. Factors such as fitness level, age, and overall health can influence an individual's resting heart rate; for instance, well-trained athletes may have resting heart rates that fall below this range due to more efficient heart function. In contrast, a resting heart rate consistently outside this range may indicate underlying health issues that may require further evaluation.