hjartslætti

Hjartslæti, in medical terms, is the number of heartbeats per minute and reflects the activity of the heart. It is a fundamental vital sign used to assess cardiovascular function in both health and disease.

Normal resting hjartslæti varies with age, fitness, and individual factors. In healthy adults, resting rates typically range from about 60 to 100 beats per minute. Athletes or highly trained individuals may have lower resting hjartslæti, sometimes in the 40s or 50s. The rate can change with time of day, body position, and recent activity.

Several factors influence hjartslæti. The autonomic nervous system modulates it: sympathetic activation increases the rate, while parasympathetic activity slows it. Temperature, fever, hydration status, hormonal changes, medications, caffeine, and stress can raise or lower the rate. During exercise and emotional excitement, hjartslæti rises to meet higher metabolic demands, and it generally decreases during sleep.

Measurement methods include palpation of pulses at the wrist (radial) or neck (carotid), auscultation with a stethoscope, and electronic devices such as heart rate monitors or electrocardiograms. For rapid checks, one can count beats for 15 seconds and multiply by four to estimate beats per minute.

Clinical significance: persistent tachycardia (elevated resting hjartslæti) or bradycardia (low resting hjartslæti) can indicate underlying conditions such as fever, dehydration, anemia, thyroid disorders, or cardiac conduction problems. Substantial changes in rate, especially with symptoms like dizziness or chest discomfort, may require medical evaluation.