As you age, your resting heart rate remains relatively consistent, but your heart's response to exercise changes.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Resting Heart Rate: Your resting heart rate generally remains about the same as you get older. A normal resting heart rate for adults is generally between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
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Maximum Heart Rate During Exercise: The maximum heart rate you can achieve during exercise decreases with age. This is a natural physiological change. A commonly used (though not perfect) estimation of maximum heart rate is 220 minus your age. For example, a 20-year-old's estimated maximum heart rate is 200 bpm, while a 60-year-old's is 160 bpm.
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Heart Rate Response to Exercise: As you age, it may take longer for your heart rate to increase during exercise and longer for it to return to its resting rate afterward.
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Breathing Rate: Breathing rate usually does not change significantly with age.
In summary, while your resting heart rate stays fairly stable, the way your heart responds to physical activity is affected by age. Specifically, your maximum achievable heart rate decreases, and it takes longer for your heart rate to both increase and decrease.
