Heart rate 58 on an adult - what does it mean?

Where 58 bpm sits on the adult scale

What a resting pulse of 58 means

A pulse in the 50s at rest is typical for people who exercise regularly, and for most adults first thing in the morning. Large population studies associate lower resting heart rates — within the normal range — with better cardiovascular fitness.

It matters only if it comes with symptoms such as unusual tiredness, dizziness, shortness of breath or fainting, or if it is a new change for you without a training explanation.

Ranges apply to adults and children aged 10 and older, measured at rest (American Heart Association). By the numbers: at 58 bpm the heart beats about every 1.03 seconds — roughly 83,520 beats a day.

Tired all the time with a pulse of 58

A resting 58 on its own is a healthy number for most adults. When it shows up alongside months of fatigue, though, it becomes one more clue rather than a reassurance. Tiredness has many everyday causes, from short nights to a busy job. A few medical causes can explain both a slow pulse and low energy, and most of them are found with ordinary blood tests.

The aim is not to worry about 58, but to use it. A doctor who hears “I am exhausted and my pulse has been in the high 50s” will think of a slightly different list than for fatigue with a fast pulse.

Blood tests worth asking about

• Thyroid function (TSH, often with free T4). An underactive thyroid is a classic cause of slow pulse plus fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, dry skin, constipation and low mood. It is common, especially in women and older adults, and treatment with thyroid hormone is simple.
• Electrolytes and kidney function. Potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium affect how the heart beats and how muscles feel. Kidney problems and some blood pressure medicines can shift these levels.
• Blood count and iron. Anemia tends to speed the pulse rather than slow it, but it is one of the most common reasons for tiredness and is often checked at the same time.
• Blood sugar and vitamin B12. Often added to a fatigue work-up to rule out other common causes.

An ECG belongs in the same visit. It shows whether the slow rate comes from the normal pacemaker or from a conduction delay, which no blood test can tell.

Other things to mention at the appointment

Bring a list of all medicines, including eye drops, and a week of morning pulse readings. Mention loud snoring or breathing pauses at night, because sleep apnea can cause both daytime exhaustion and a slow night-time rhythm. Tell the doctor if your stamina has fallen, if you get breathless on stairs, or if your pulse barely rises when you walk fast.

If tests come back normal and you feel better with more sleep or less stress, the 58 was likely your natural rhythm all along. Seek urgent care for fainting or chest pain. To understand why fit people often sit below 60, see the guide on normal adult heart rate.

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

• 53 bpm
• 54 bpm
• 55 bpm
• 56 bpm
• 57 bpm
• 59 bpm
• 60 bpm
• 61 bpm
• 62 bpm
• 63 bpm

Measured on a child instead? See heart rate 58 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.