Heart rate 105 on an adult - what does it mean?

Where 105 bpm sits on the adult scale

What a resting pulse of 105 means

Common temporary causes: caffeine or energy drinks, nicotine, alcohol (also the day after), stress or anxiety, fever or infection, dehydration, a large meal, heat, pain, and recent physical activity. Decongestants, asthma inhalers and thyroid medication can also raise the pulse.

Sit quietly for five minutes and measure again. If your resting pulse is repeatedly above 100, causes worth checking include anemia, an overactive thyroid, heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation, and low fitness after illness.

Ranges apply to adults and children aged 10 and older, measured at rest (American Heart Association). By the numbers: at 105 bpm the heart beats about every 0.57 seconds — roughly 151,200 beats a day.

A racing 105 in a moment of fear or panic

When the brain senses a threat, real or imagined, it switches on the fight-or-flight response. Adrenaline and related hormones are released within seconds. The heart beats faster and harder, breathing quickens, muscles tense and the hands may shake or sweat. A pulse of 105 during a wave of anxiety is a normal result of that system doing its job.

A panic attack is the same response at full strength, often without any obvious trigger. It builds quickly, usually peaks within about ten minutes, and can bring a pounding heart, tight chest, breathlessness, tingling, dizziness and a strong feeling of dread. The pulse can climb well above 105. Frightening as it is, the heart itself is usually healthy and the attack passes.

The checking loop

Many people with health anxiety notice a fast beat, check their watch, see a high number, feel more alarmed and watch the number rise further. Constant checking can keep the response switched on. If you recognise this pattern, it can help to set fixed times for measuring, such as once in the morning, and leave the watch alone in between.

Slow breathing is one of the quickest ways to settle a racing pulse driven by nerves. Breathe in gently through your nose for about four seconds and out for about six. A longer out-breath activates the vagus nerve, which acts as a brake on the heart. A few minutes of this often brings the rate down noticeably. More techniques are collected on how to lower your heart rate.

Do not assume it is only nerves the first time

From the inside, a panic attack and some heart rhythm problems can feel alike. A sudden, regular racing that switches on and off like a light, a faint, chest pain that spreads to the arm or jaw, or an attack that starts during exertion all deserve a medical check before anyone puts it down to anxiety. Call 911 if chest pain or breathlessness is severe or you are unsure.

If tests are normal and attacks keep returning, that is worth treating too. Anxiety and panic disorder respond well to talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, and sometimes to medicines. Regular exercise, enough sleep and cutting back on caffeine and alcohol reduce how often the alarm goes off. A doctor or mental health professional can help you choose.

For a reliable resting value, sit quietly for five minutes first and average a few mornings: Resting Heart Rate: What It Says About Your Health. You can also measure by tapping along on the start page.

Nearby values

• 100 bpm
• 101 bpm
• 102 bpm
• 103 bpm
• 104 bpm
• 106 bpm
• 107 bpm
• 108 bpm
• 109 bpm
• 110 bpm

Measured on a child instead? See heart rate 105 in a child.

Sources: American Heart Association: All About Heart Rate · MedlinePlus: Pulse · ACSM position stand on exercise intensity (2011)

This page explains a single reading in general terms. It is not a diagnosis. Heart rate alone cannot tell whether the rhythm is regular or whether the heart is healthy — if you are worried, talk to a doctor.