Heart rate 82 on an adult - what does it mean?

Where 82 bpm sits on the adult scale

What a resting pulse of 82 means

That is still normal. Studies have linked a resting heart rate that stays in the upper part of the range (above about 80 bpm) with a somewhat higher long-term cardiovascular risk, so if yours is consistently here, regular aerobic exercise, sleep and stress management are the usual first steps.

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 82 bpm the heart beats about every 0.73 seconds — roughly 118,080 beats a day.

Pregnant and resting at 82 bpm

During pregnancy, a resting pulse in the 80s is common and usually expected. The heart rate rises gradually by about 10 to 20 beats over the course of pregnancy, so a woman who rested at 68 before conceiving may well read 82 in the second or third trimester. That still falls inside the normal adult range.

The rise has a clear purpose. The body makes much more blood to supply the placenta and the growing baby, and the heart has to move all of it. It does this by pumping more blood with each beat and by beating more often. Hormones relax the blood vessel walls, which also prompts the heart to work a little faster to keep pressure steady. Later in pregnancy, the weight of the womb can press on the large vein in the belly when you lie flat on your back, which is one reason many women feel better and read lower lying on their left side.

Normal pregnancy sensations versus warning signs

Many pregnant women notice their heartbeat more than before. Feeling the heart pounding after climbing stairs, a brief flutter when lying down or a slightly breathless feeling as the womb grows are usually part of normal pregnancy. Still, some signs need prompt medical attention:

• a resting pulse that stays above 100, or one that suddenly feels much faster than usual
• chest pain, fainting or severe shortness of breath, especially when lying flat
• a racing heart together with a severe headache, vision changes or sudden swelling of the face and hands
• palpitations with dizziness, or a beat that feels very irregular for more than a few moments

Pregnancy also raises the chance of anemia, which speeds the heart further, and of thyroid changes. Both are checked with routine blood tests, so mention a fast pulse to your midwife or doctor at your next visit.

Exercise and measuring while pregnant

Because the resting rate is higher in pregnancy, training zones based on age alone become less reliable. Many care teams suggest using the talk test instead: you should be able to hold a conversation while exercising. Measure your resting pulse in the same position each time, ideally sitting or lying on your side. After the birth, the resting rate usually returns to its earlier level over the following weeks. For background on what affects the adult pulse, see 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

• 77 bpm
• 78 bpm
• 79 bpm
• 80 bpm
• 81 bpm
• 83 bpm
• 84 bpm
• 85 bpm
• 86 bpm
• 87 bpm

Measured on a child instead? See heart rate 82 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.