What does a high resting heart rate typically indicate?

A high resting heart rate typically indicates poor cardiovascular fitness. When the body is well-conditioned and has an efficient cardiovascular system, the heart can pump blood more effectively with each beat, allowing for a lower resting heart rate. In contrast, a higher resting heart rate often suggests that the heart is working harder to maintain adequate blood circulation, which can result from a sedentary lifestyle, excessive body fat, or other health issues affecting cardiovascular health.

This means an elevated resting heart rate may be a signal of underlying cardiovascular problems or inadequate physical fitness, highlighting the importance of regular exercise and cardiovascular conditioning. Understanding this relationship helps in assessing an individual's overall fitness level and guiding them towards better health practices.