Normal heart rhythm, also called sinus rhythm, is defined by :

.its heart rate :

 

- resting heart rate :

- For an adult at rest: 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm).

- In well-trained athletes: the rate may be lower, often between 40 and 60 bpm, without being pathological.

- In children and infants: the rate is generally faster (for example, up to 120-160 bpm in a newborn).

- Maximum effort heart rate, theoretically evaluated by the formula: 220 - age

 

. its regularity :

- Heartbeats occur at regular intervals, with a constant duration between each beat, nevertheless there may be a normal respiratory sinus arrhythmia, corresponding to changes in the nervous system (sympathetic / parasympathetic).

 

Sinus origin:

- Normal rhythm is initiated by the sinus node, located in the right atrium. This is where the electrical impulse starts.

 

There may be variations in sinus rhythm, which are not necessarily pathological.

In the midst of a normal heart rhythm, atrial or ventricular extrasystoles are frequently present (felt or not), but in most cases they are benign. In this case, we speak of a normal heart rhythm with “banal” or “benign” extrasystoles, within normal limits. However, their benign nature can only be confirmed after a thorough work-up.