The term "heart rate" is used in medical and fitness contexts to describe the number of times a person's heart beats per minute. While this is the most common term, it can also be referred to as pulse rate or cardiac rate. Other more technical synonyms might include ventricular rate, atrial rate, or sinus rate, depending on the specific context being discussed. In some cases, more casual synonyms like "heart beat" or "pulse" may be used as well. Regardless of the synonym used, monitoring the heart rate is important for maintaining overall health and fitness, and can serve as an early warning sign of potential heart problems.