There is no such thing as an optimal heart rate clinically. Generally speaking, the normal heart rate for male adults is 60 to 100 beats per minute. Heart rate refers to the number of heartbeats per minute in a normal person in a quiet state, also known as the quiet heart rate. In a quiet state, the normal heart rate for adults is 60 to 100 beats per minute. Heart rate can vary depending on age, gender and other factors. In general, older people have a slightly slower heart rate than younger people, and women have a slightly faster heart rate than men of the same age. Heart rate variability is closely related to heart disease. Adults with a heart rate of 100 to 160 beats per minute at quiet are called sinus tachycardia, and adults with a heart rate of 45 to 60 beats per minute at quiet are called sinus bradycardia. If the heart rate is greater than 160 beats/minute or less than 40 beats/minute, it is mostly seen in patients with heart disease. Patients who notice abnormalities in their heart rate should seek medical attention to identify the cause.