Heart rate 78 on an adult - what does it mean?
A resting heart rate of 78 bpm is within the normal adult range of 60–100 bpm.
Where 78 bpm sits on the adult scale
- Very low
- Low (bradycardia)
- Slightly low
- Normal
- Elevated (tachycardia)
- High
- Very high
What a resting pulse of 78 means
That is a healthy resting value. Within the normal range, lower resting rates generally go with better aerobic fitness; very fit adults often sit in the 50s or lower.
Your resting rate varies by several beats from day to day. Measure at the same time — ideally in the morning before getting up — and look at the average over a week rather than a single number.
Ranges apply to adults and children aged 10 and older, measured at rest (American Heart Association). By the numbers: at 78 bpm the heart beats about every 0.77 seconds — roughly 112,320 beats a day.
78 bpm during exercise
During exercise a higher pulse is expected. This table shows which training zone 78 bpm corresponds to, based on the common estimate of maximum heart rate (220 minus age). Individual maximums can differ by 10–20 bpm.
| Age | Est. max (220 − age) | 78 bpm is | Training zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 200 bpm | 39% | below training zones |
| 30 | 190 bpm | 41% | below training zones |
| 40 | 180 bpm | 43% | below training zones |
| 50 | 170 bpm | 46% | below training zones |
| 60 | 160 bpm | 49% | below training zones |
| 70 | 150 bpm | 52% | Zone 1 · Very light |
How the zones work: Heart Rate Zones: The 5 Training Zones by Age.
How to get an accurate resting reading
- Sit or lie quietly for 5 minutes. No caffeine, nicotine or exercise in the 30 minutes before.
- Place two fingertips (not your thumb) on the inside of your wrist below the thumb, or gently beside your windpipe on one side of the neck.
- Count the beats for 30 seconds and double it — or count a full 60 seconds if the beat feels irregular.
- Repeat on a few mornings before getting up and use the average.
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Nearby values
Measured on a child instead? See heart rate 78 in a child.
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.