What does an elevated resting heart rate typically indicate?

An elevated resting heart rate typically indicates possible health issues or stress. The resting heart rate is the number of times your heart beats per minute while at rest. A normal resting heart rate for adults usually ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. When it's higher than this range, it can suggest that the body is under stress or that there are underlying health concerns. This might be due to various factors such as physical stress, emotional stress, illness, or even poor cardiovascular health. Therefore, monitoring resting heart rate can be an important indicator of overall health and fitness levels, particularly when paired with other assessments.

The other choices do not align with the implications of an elevated resting heart rate. For example, high levels of fitness generally correlate with a lower resting heart rate due to more efficient heart function and improved cardiovascular health. Effective cardiovascular endurance usually leads to lower resting heart rates as well. Lastly, increased hydration does not typically have a direct effect on resting heart rate; while proper hydration is important for overall health and performance, it does not cause significant changes in resting heart rate on its own.