Education Officer (Backstop 60), FS-2. US Agency for International Development (USAID) Worldwide; Apply by 10 March 2010; Mid-level; Posted on 19 May 2009
A rapid or fast heartbeat is when your heart is beating faster than normal. A normal heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. Tachycardia is considered a heart rate of greater than 100 beats per minute. If you are exercising, or performing any kind of activity, your heart will normally beat faster.
A pulse rate that is too low can be dangerous. Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images. Keeping track of your blood pressure and pulse lets you know how hard your heart is working and what your risk for heart disease is. A normal pulse rate at rest is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Generally, a lower pulse rate means that your heart muscle is not having to beat too hard to do its job. However, if your pulse goes too low, it can be dangerous. Your pulse rate is also called your heart rate.